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Ray Charles – Swiss Radio Days Vol. 41/ Zurich 1961 – TCB

by Audiophile Audition | Nov 17, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

The jazzy side of Brother Ray… Ray Charles – Swiss Radio Days Vol. 41/ Zurich 1961 – TCB 02412, 78:43 [Distr. by Naxos] (11/11/16) ****: (Ray Charles – piano, vocals; Marcus Belgrave, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guilbeau, John Hunt – trumpets; Henderson Chambers, Dickie Wells, Keg Johnson – trombones; Rudy Powell – alto sax; Hank Crawford – alto sax, band leader; David “Fathead” Newman – tenor sax and flute; Don Wilkerson – tenor sax; Leroy Cooper – baritone sax; Elbert Forriest – guitar; Edgar Willis – bass; Bruno Carr – drums; Quincy Jones – arranger {#1, 2, 9-11, 17}. With the Raelettes: Pat Lyles, Margie Hendricks, Gwen Berry, and Darlene McCrea – vocals) Although Ray Charles had been recording for Atlantic Records since 1957, his impact had primarily been in the United States as a rhythm-and-blues artist. In October, 1961, Ray took his full orchestra to Europe in order to expand his stature worldwide. At the beginning of the tour he played in Zurich on Oct. 18, 1961. As part of the Swiss Radio Days Series (now 41 volumes strong), TCB is releasing this date in great digitally-remastered sound. Ray brought an outstanding orchestra to Europe. Four trumpets, three trombones, and […]

CRAIG HELLA JOHNSON: Considering Matthew Shepard – Conspirare – Harmonia mundi

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 11, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Some beautiful choral writing in an emotional tribute. CRAIG HELLA JOHNSON: Considering Matthew Shepard – Conspirare – Harmonia mundi multichannel SACD HMU 807638.39, 105:26, two discs (9/09/16) [Dist. by HM/PIAS] ****: By now, I am sure – or hope – that all readers have at least heard of the horrific 1998 murder of the then twenty-year-old gay college student Matthew Shepard. The fact that he was a young gay man who was hardly what most would consider an “activist” and who essentially executed made his name and his case move to the forefront of the fairly recent gay rights movement. This piece takes, as its emotional base, the relative simplicity of Matthew’s life and the seemingly idyllic setting of Laramie, Wyoming and creates a mood of simple reflection and a certain amount of celebration of Shepard’s existence. This is not a work that goes “over the line” with anger or sadness. The narration – necessarily tough to listen to – comes close but this is one of those stories that, similarly to other landmark human rights cases and crimes over the years, we need to be reminded a bit, actually happened. Craig Hella Johnson is a renowned choral conductor, composer […]

Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Musings – Sunnyside

by Audiophile Audition | Apr 16, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Keep an eye on Christopher Zuar… Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Musings – Sunnyside SSC 1434, 55:17 ****1/2: (Christopher Zuar – composer, arranger, conductor; Dave Pietro, Ben Kono, Jason Rigby, Lucas Pino, Brian Landrus – woodwinds; Tony Kadleck, Jon Owens, Mat Jodrell, Matt Holman – trumpets; Tim Albright, Matt McDonald, Alan Ferber, Max Siegel – trombones; Pete McCann – guitar; Frank Carlberg – piano, Fender Rhodes keyboards; John Hebert – bass; Mark Ferber – drums; Rogerio Boccato – percussion; Jo Lawry – voice) A pleasant development over the last 10-15 years is the progression of the blending of jazz with classical overtones. The artist that is responsible for mentoring the lyricism found in this genre was Bob Brookmeyer. Going back to his work with the European New Arts Orchestra in the late 1990s, Brookmeyer wrote and arranged works of complex beauty. He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music and was a strong influence on Maria Schneider, who has gone on to Grammy winning fame. The latest artist to help carry on this musical blend is the 29-year-old composer, Christopher Zuar, who studied with Brookmeyer. Zuar’s initial release, Musings, just released April 1, is a masterful blend of modern classical […]

Ferit Odman – Dameronia With Strings – Equinox Music – vinyl

by Audiophile Audition | Mar 1, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Ferit Odman – Dameronia With Strings – Equinox Music EMLP0002, 42:12 stereo vinyl ****1/2: Drummer puts together a masterful tribute to a great jazz composer. (Ferit Odman – drums; Terell Stafford – trumpet; Danny Grissett – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Antoine Silverman – violin, concertmaster; Diane Montoe – violin, concertmaster; Tamara DeMent – violin; Chris Cardona – viola; Emily Brausa – cello; Clarice Jensen – cello; David O’Rourke – strings arrangement, cond.) Turkish drummer Ferit Odman chose a special concept for his third album. He has elected to pay homage to a great (if not renowned) jazz composer and arranger, Tadd Dameron. Dameronia With Strings revisits various arrangements by Dameron, for Sarah Vaughan (1946), Blue Mitchell’s “Smooth As The Wind” (1961) and the 1956 John Coltrane quartet (“On a Misty Night”, Soultrane”) The legendary Philly Joe Jones chose Dameron’s arrangement of “Look Stop & Listen” to be an integral part of the Magic Touch session. Dameron also arranged a version of this for Benny Goodman. Somewhat unknown to the general public, Tadd Dameron was celebrated in the jazz community for his innovative approach to jazz. The earliest tribute band, Dameronia, was formed by Philly Joe Jones in 1982. This […]

Frank Zappa – Roxy, The Movie, CD + Blu-ray (2015)

by Audiophile Audition | Feb 14, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

Frank Zappa – Roxy, The Movie, CD + Blu-ray (2015) A true rock genius is revealed in restored Blu-ray of a vintage performance. Studio: Eagle Vision EV8335219 Cast: Frank Zappa & The Mothers Video: 1.78:1 for 16:9 screen, 1080p HD, Color Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1; PCM 2.0 stereo TrackList: Something Terrible Has Happened/Cosmic Debris; Penguin In Bondage; T’Mershi Duween; Dog Meat (The Dog Breath Variations/Uncle Meat); RDNZL; Inca Roads; Echidna’s Art (of You); Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?; Cheepnis-Percussion; Cheepnis; I’m The Slime; Big Swifty; Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church); End Credits: Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow; Father O’Blivion Bonus Tracks: Pygmy Twylyte; The Idiot Bastard Son; Dickie’s Such An Asshole Length: 116 minutes Ratings: Audio: ***1/2 Video: ***1/2 Overall: ****: Certainly Frank Zappa’s music and career can be safely described as weird. His unique approach to rock, orchestration and avant-garde set him apart from his peers. The music was different and bent the rules of genre association and instrumental arrangement. Without reluctance, he would shake up the band lineup to bring a fresh perspective to his changing vision. One aspect of his musical career was film. 200 Motels (with The Mothers, Theodore […]

Valery Ponomarev Jazz Big Band – Our Father Who Art Blakey – Zoho

by Audiophile Audition | Jan 8, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Valery Ponomarev Jazz Big Band – Our Father Who Art Blakey – Zoho ZM 201001, 58:25 ****: Big band bop at its best. (Valery Ponomarev – trumpet, composer, arranger, conductor; Benny Golson – tenor saxophone tracks 2, 7) Our Father Who Art Blakey is a live recording by the Valery Ponomarev Jazz Big Band from August and December 2014 at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Centre, and the Zinc Bar in New York City. It was undertaken by Ponomarev to recognize Art Blakey, both for his contribution to jazz music, but particularly for his mentorship to Ponomarev while he was with the Jazz Messengers during the mid-1970s. This is a tight, driving, big band that plays Ponomarev’s charts with precision and a ‘take no prisoners’ approach to the music starting with Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin’”. After the opening statement by the band, Ponomarev takes over the solo space with his trumpet, which is then followed by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson in the first of his two guest appearances in this session. Golson at the time of this recording was eighty-five, and had been playing since he was a teenager. For anyone who has seen Golson perform in person recently, […]