Customer Reviews

The Devil Tried to Kill Me

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

David Murray has long been interested in both African percussion (e.g. "M'Bizo" & "Four Now") and Ishmael Reed's lyrics (e.g. Conjure & "Sacred Ground"). "The Devil Tried To Kill Me" brings both together. The percussionists register on the CD as singers more strongly than percussionists. Even though the percussion doesn't stand out to me, the rhythms are strongly African, so the other musicians certainly felt their influence. Ishmael Reed wrote the lyrics for "Africa" and the title track. Reed's style is unmistakeable, and it's great that Murray works with him. "Africa" is a lament about the continent, and "The Devil Tried To Kill Me" mocks the highly connected lifestyle. The music is pretty good, though the last two songs, "Congo" & "Canto Oneguine" are a bit bland. Rasul Siddik's trumpet playing is a highlight. This is a good one for David Murray fans to pick up.

I have alot of Davids more recent recordings (who could have them all? ) and vary in style quite abit. There is quite a contrast with 'Silence', his duo CD from earlier in the year. This one is very lively and exciting. I am not a fan of Taj Mahal but he fits in well here. I could easily imagine David doing this at a world music festival like Womad. Good stuff