Fountain of Youth

Roy Haynes, Roy Haynes Trio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreyfus
• ASIN: B00019PDIO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,192 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fountain of youth, indeed. The young musicians teaming with the great 79-year-old drummer Roy Haynes in his new quartet can only hope to impart the kind of energy, creative and physical, that he still beams from the bandstand. Haynes' albums of recent times haven't always succeeded in capturing his sly, explosive essence, but with spirited backing by the edgy saxophonist and bass clarinetist Marcus Strickland, pianist Martin Bejerano, and bassist John Sullivan, this live-at-Birdland offering takes its place among his most rewarding. The songs add up to a kind of partial career resume in noting some of the many geniuses he has accompanied: a biting "Green Chimneys" to recall Thelonious Monk, an elegant Haynes arrangement of "Greensleeves" to channel John Coltrane, the rarely played "Butch and Butch" to commemorate Oliver Nelson's landmark Blues and the Abstract Truth. Signs of slowing down? Forget it. The only one trying to catch any breath is the listener. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

"Fountain of Youth" is reverential, explosive, and celebratory, exploring music Haynes has included in his sets for years with a handful of new additions chosen by the group. Haynes happily admits that this group catches fire often, obviously following his lead. Selections by Monk, Metheny, Oliver Nelson, and Irving Berlin provide tremendous give and take, fireworks on full display. Fountain Of Youth features the jazz icon with his working band, a ferocious outfit of young men in their 20’s. Inspired by each other’s deft musicianship and energy, the group digs in on concert staples and new surprises that span the awe-inspiring career of Roy Haynes.

Personnel: Roy Haynes - drums Martin Bejerano - piano Marcus Strickland - tenor and soprano sax, bass clarinet John Sullivan - bass

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the best jazz drummers ever, March 7, 2004

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fountain of Youth (Audio CD)

Perhaps Chick Corea said it best: "He defies time, doesn't he?"

Interestingly, that can be taken at least two ways--1), How can he continue to be among the very best drummers at his advanced age? and 2) He plays in such a way as to "defy time," that is, to keep time without "keeping" it, to "give it back," so to speak, to his bandmates, and, ultimately, to his hearers.

On this remarkable disc, he does both. With insouciance, ease, aplomb. You younger drummers out there, you who're all over your kit, rototoming and cymbal-riding it to death, take a lesson from the master: more is less. Apposite playing counts more than monster chops. Learn from your elders.

Here, in a live setting with his brilliant working band (monster newcomer Martin Bejerano, piano; another monster newcomer, John Sullivan, bass; and rising star Marcus Strickland on tenor and alto sax and bass clarinet), he casually annihilates all pretenders, indeed defying time.

This is jazz at its finest, a brilliant mix of the new and the old, the formal and the intuitive, the spontaneous and the written, the traditional and the innovative.

My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the audience is too much a part of this disc. Other brilliant live recordings (e.g., Haden/Gismonti Live at Montreaux, The Dave Holland Quintet's Extended Play, Frank Kimbrough's Quickening, Jason Moran's Bandwagon) downplay the audience presence. With modern mixing technology, this isn't a problem. Why make them such a part of the performance? Just to show how much they appreciated what was going down? Doesn't that smack of insecurity? With an artist of the stature of Roy Haynes, there's no need to add audience enthusiasm for hype purposes. Bad call, Dryfus.

But as I say, that's just a minor annoyance, not even worth subtracting a half star. This is a very fine disc, and a wonderful companion to his studio release, Love Letters. Don't miss it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars title says it all, April 30, 2004

By 

Rob Watkins (Augusta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fountain of Youth (Audio CD)

this cd from a legend behind the drum kit grabs your attention from the first strokes of "greensleeves" and never lets up until the set is done. the energy and the excitement are in full force all the way through. mr. haynes has played behind almost everyone in his fifty year career, but he is also a skilled leader, pushing and cajoling his bandmates to new heights. here he is surrounded by a new generation, and he pushes them creatively, allowing even old chestnuts to shine anew as they are explored, redeveloped and transformed. mark strickland stands out on reeds, but the whole band is worth hearing. along with elvin jones, mr. haynes reminds us of what was, but they also show us the fire still burns. a great set!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Set, September 12, 2005

By 

R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fountain of Youth (Audio CD)

From the very first cut, a rousing and rhythmic rendition of Greensleeves, this CD just shows how a master and experienced leader like Roy Haynes can drive his fellow musicians to new heights of achievment. Every cut is a gem but I will admit that the driving bassline and tempo of Greensleeves just knocked me out at first listen. Very good sound quality and the music is energetic and wonderful. Highest recommendation.