Customer Reviews

Gualala

5 star:		(6)
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Simply put, this is one of the best new jazz CD's to come out in recent times. It has a wonderful blend of classic jazz grooves with much more experimental qualities. It pushes the envelope as to what jazz can be. Tom's melodies are engaging, lyrical and poignant. Ben as usual provides a beautiful foundation, rhythm, and balance. The percussion work distinguishes this from many other jazz albums, giving it a unique sound. Indeed, there is no drum set at all. Cellular Coyotes is probably my favorite of all the tracks, which flows almost like a river with beautiful melody and counterpoint. Tom has touched upon something new, exciting and brilliant here. Thank you.

A lot of reed players double on other reed instruments; some even double on doubled-reed instruments. Bud Shank and Bob Cooper, primarily saxophonists, released the very successful "Flute and Oboe of Bud Shank and Bob Cooper" way back when. Now Tom Christensen, a proficient player of many reeds, presents a multi-reed cornucopia of modern jazz. With fellow reedsman Charles Pillow, there are seven different horns played on this recording. Fortunately the song listing on the back of the CD packaging includes the reeds that are being played on each song and who's playing which solo. The best thing about this set is that it always sounds like the same band for each song. Whether it's a two-tenor frontline or an English horn and oboe line-up the compositions sound as though they all come from the same pen - that of Tom Christensen, who wrote everything but the liner notes (written by Dave Liebman).

The unifying thread in these performances is the very atmospheric percussion by Satoshi Takeishi, usually heard with Erik Friedlander's Topaz quartet. Takeishi's drumming style is hard to describe but it's a little like that of Hamid Drake: a multiculturalistic choice of instuments, and the ability to lay down a deep polyrhythmic groove. This, combined with the double-reed instruments and liquid bass-work gives the set a Middle-Eastern feel.

"Cats of Ulthar" lays thick unison tenor lines over a deceptively simple two-note bass vamp, underscored by frenetic percussion. Then there's the Witty, slinky melody of "Tangoed Web". The closing song, Christensen's "Or Not", sounds like a classic Ornette Coleman blues romp - or not. The songs are all well-written with memorable melodies and the performances are spot on.

For more exploratory modern jazz in the same vein, check out "Paths", Tom Christensen's follow up recording that explores similar themes with the (mostly) same personnel.

Personnel: Tom Christensen: Tenor & soprano sax, oboe, English horn, clarinet; Charles Pillow: Tenor & sopranino sax, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet; Ben Allison or Doug Weiss: Bass; Satoshi Takeishi: Percussion; Total time: 65:34.

Tom Christensen is one of the most talented musicians to play at Birdland. I wish I could meet him someday. Anyway, buy this CD! It rocks!

This is a fresh new sound! Tom, who has played onstage with such greats as Ben Sternberg and Zachary Podolsky, has breathed new life into jazz. This album is simply amazing! I love to listen to this album in a darkened room, with a candle lit, and just relax. Its perfect! I let his melodies take me away.......

Don't be fooled by the price, nothing on this CD is 'cheap.' This is one of the most talented bands I have ever heard. I think everyone should listen to this amazing CD. The best cuts on this album are Thank You and the title track. The Tom Christensen band is amazing! Spread the word about them Brother.

This album is amazing, all it is missing is guest tracks featuring the greats---BIFF, CHUCKLES, and BAUMTIGHT