'HIGHER GROUND: HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT CONCERT'
'HIGHER GROUND: HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT CONCERT'
Various Artists
Blue Note, sss
There was no shortage of tireless volunteers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and one of the true early responders was proud son of New Orleans Wynton Marsalis, who sacrificed his tiresome jazz purity to put together a benefit concert at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. It manages to pay respect to the multiple musical tributaries of the Big Easy, yet maintains a cohesive spirit that is captured on this CD.
Gospel singer Shirley Caesar sets the sanctified tone with an earth- and heart-shaking "This Joy," while trumpeter Terence Ballard, also from N.O., contributes an achingly empathetic "Over There." Marsalis gets the opportunity to revisit the R & amp;B he played with high school bands as he joins two Neville Brothers, Art and angel-voiced Aaron (whose interpretation of Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" would become the sad anthem of the disaster), on a rollicking version of Professor Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras." Marsalis also takes his chair with the Lincoln Center Orchestra, conducted by Don Sebesky, to provide a beautifully blue backdrop for Bette Midler's surprisingly appropriate rendition of the Peggy Lee hit "Is That All There Is?"
Marsalis' personal moment comes, however, with a Louis Armstrong-style Hot Seven romp through King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues," a standout on a condensed version of the program that also includes contributions from Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Marcus Roberts and Joe Lovano. We hope an upcoming DVD will include more, or maybe all, of a show that also featured Elvis Costello and Allan Toussaint, Paul Simon, Arturo O'Farrill and the great Abbey Lincoln.
(All net profits from the CD will be donated to the Higher Ground Relief Fund, established to benefit the musicians and music-industry related enterprises from the New Orleans area that were affected by Hurricane Katrina and to provide other general hurricane relief.)
'SIPPIANA HERICANE'
Dr. John and the Lower 911
Blue Note sss
This seven-track recording may last only 25 minutes or so, but it packs an emotional wallop. "Sippiana Hericane" is Dr. John's creative response to the devastation inflicted on his hometown of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. The bluesy-gospel opener "Clean Water," which feels like a Creole prayer, was written by Dr. John's friend and fellow Louisiana native Bobby Charles, best known for writing "Walking to New Orleans" and "See You Later, Alligator."
Then comes the centerpiece. "Wade: Hurricane Suite " is a four-part musical depiction of the hurricane and its aftermath. Joined throughout by 911 bandmates Herman Ernest III (drums), David Barard (bass) and John Fohl (guitar), Dr. John leaves out any vocals until the final section, relying only on his trademark bluesy piano and organ riffs to help paint a sad, sometimes wrenching picture ("Storm Warning," "Storm Surge," "Calm In The Storm"). The suite's finale, "Aftermath," liberally quotes from the traditional spiritual "Wade In The Water" and is defiantly funky and hopeful.
Also powerful is "Sweet Home New Orleans," where Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) recalls and bemoans the lost treasures of the Crescent City while taking some swipes at the political quagmire that helped sink its citizens.
Proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the Jazz Foundation of America and the Voice of the Wetlands.
'ASSASSIN REVERIE'
Terry Riley & amp; Arte Quartett
New World sss
A godfather of minimalism, maverick composer Terry Riley writes eclectic and entertaining music that will put a smile on your face. This collection focuses on high-spirited saxophones, revealing Riley's love of jazz and Indian music.
Both strains come together on "Uncle Jard" for saxophone quartet, voice, piano and harpsichord (1998). Over a drone, Riley's evocative chanting creates a moody atmosphere that breaks into a rollicking and swinging dance.
"Assassin Reverie" (2001) for saxophone quartet and tape opens with fleeting motifs perhaps alluding to standards "You Don't Know What Love Is" or "I Concentrate On You," before building into an intense explosion of violence.
"Tread on the Trail" (1965), performed by 12 saxophones, was inspired by jazzman Sonny Rollins and finds Riley in a syncopated way, echoing the shifting repetitions and static-momentum of his iconic "In C."
'COMIN' TO YOUR CITY'
Big & amp; Rich
Warner Bros. ss
Thanks to some undeniably catchy songwriting, John Rich and Big Kenny's follow-up to their celebrated 2004 debut gains appeal with repeated listens, but the album never seems quite as edgy -- or as entertaining -- as they want us to believe it is.
The Muzik Mafia poster boys again mix and match musical genres at will, darting from pleasant folk-rock ("I Pray for You") to '60s psychedelia ("Blow My Mind") to '70s soul ("Never Mind Me") to dance-club rap ("Caught Up in the Moment," a comic hit-in-waiting about a sexual encounter aboard an LA-to-Vegas flight).
Sure, these guys create some distinctive high-low harmonies that separate them from the pack, and yeah, their tongue-in-cheek irreverence is always at least amusing. But their novelty-act leanings and everything-but-country approach to album-making eventually beg the question: What exactly are they trying to accomplish and why are they trying to accomplish it in Nashville?
'THE BBC SESSIONS'
Gilles Peterson
Ether Records sss
'DIGS AMERICA'
Gilles Peterson
Luv N' Haight sss
Gilles Peterson isn't your typical DJ. He's more of a selector, scouring record bins throughout the world to locate the most underappreciated jazz, acid jazz (he coined the term), R & amp;B, funk and related vibe-heavy music, then playing said tunes to a radio audience in Britain via his long-running show on BBC Radio 1.
The best in-studio performances make up the two-CD set "The BBC Sessions," an impressive mixture of modern jazz and soul-fueled music. Featuring an eclectic blend of artistry, the album has numerous highlights Bilal's gut-busting "Sometimes" and the Roots' blistering "Melting Pot" and is a good summation of Peterson's influential tastes.
The "Digs America" collection focuses on rarities from the South Londoner's immense record collection, spotlighting long- out-of-print jazz and soul gems produced in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
While not as recognizable as the treasure-trove of artists from "The BBC Sessions," "Digs America" showcases Peterson's deep love for jazz and soul and his unique ability to present something old as something new.
Knight Ridder Newspapers