With this, Wynton Marsalis has come up with his most interesting album thus far. That is not to say that it is entirely flawless, but it kindles a spark too often absent from the twin horn, post-hard bop quintet albums that seem to proliferate. On the positive side, the sextet evinces a feeling for the nuances and expressive powers of early jazz that, rather than repertorial, is heightened by the rhythmic lessons of a subsequent six decades. This is as sharply focused in the crowded polyphonies of Oh But On The Third Day as it is in the slow, padding ensembles and solos of the title track. Indeed, the former gives us also hints of both swing and the more abrasive charms of post-free jazz improvising. I am taken, too, with Mr Marsalis’ articulate use of the plunger, with Mr Lonzo’s gut-bucket abilities and with some of the playing by Todd Williams.
On the downside, however, is an inescapable feeling that some of the explorations here are less elemental than studied. It is a suspicion honed by the contrast provided bythe profound simplicity of Danny Barker’s playing, and by the rather pretentious Sermon. It is a rather hammy narrative – a matter the more surprising, stemming as it does from the highly articulate and expressive pen of Stanley Crouch.
It is not enough, however, to deter anyone from an expressive album of most generous playing time that would put some stingy CDs to shame.
Chris Sheridan
Discography
(a) The Majesty Of The Blues (The Puheeman Strut); Hickory Dickory Dock (24.09) – (b) Thet New Orleans Function: The Death Of Jazz/Premature Autoposies (sermon)*/I Oh But On The Third Day (Happy Feet Blues) (35.45)
(a) Marsalis (t); Wes Anderson (as); Todd Williams (ss/ts); Marcus Roberts (p); Reginald Veal (b); Herlin Riley (d). NYC, October 27 & 28, 1988. (b) add Teddy Riley (t); Freddie Lonzo (tb); Dr Michael White (cl); Danny Barker (bj); Rev Jeremiah Wright Jr (narr*). Same dates.
(CBS 465129-1)
