Customer Reviews

Not in Our Name

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since Haden joined Ornette Coleman to take Jazz into yet a new direction almost forty years ago, his playing and composing has shown the kind of artistic integrity which is far from common these days.
So here he chooses to revive the Liberation Orchestra, along with the great Carla Bley, and delivers another astounding set of tunes that confirms his musical stature.
As far as the new Orchestra is concerned, the playing is tremendous, at once conscious of being an ensemble and blazing through their solos, whether it is Steve Cardenas on guitar, the horn section or Haden himself -precise and poetic, giving the music its hearbeat- every musician contributes to the beauty of these tunes.
As far as the songs, "Not In Our Name," "Throughout," "Amazing Grace" or "Blue Anthem" particularly stand out, yet the whole set is wonderful. Moving music for troubled and sad times from a man who has always understood that an artist is not above his peers nor his moment in history.

The Vietnam War era was known for its protest music-- musicians from all walks found themselves with a mouthpiece and used it. Remarkably, as the country finds itself in a similar situation, it is far less common to hear recorded anti-war sentiment-- maybe it is the lesson learned from the Dixie Chicks-- being viewed as "unpatriotic" (and these days the government and conservative talking heads use that term to indicate disagreeing with the President) is bad for business-- during Vietnam, pop, rock and folk musicians from the Beach Boys to Neil Young wrote protest pieces-- where are these now?

Thankfully, integrity can still be found in some places. Bassist, bandleader and composer Charlie Haden, together with pianist Carla Bley, has resurrected the Liberation Music Orchestra. A project designed to express distaste in the American government policies-- this new version of the band performs pieces by American composers, voiced and assembled as a statement against the policies of the United States government, and while there's no words to express the message, the music speaks loud and clear.

Opening with a solo classical guitar, it should be clear immediately this is not your everyday jazz album. And while "Not In our Name" moves into a big band arrangement, with horns picking up the theme and powerful solos (most notably from guitarist Steve Cardenas), there's an edge to this not commonly found in music. This is maintained throughout the album, from the dubbish "This Is Not America (originally by Pat Metheny and David Bowie, featuring an oddly voiced quote from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" towards the end) to the minor key medley "America the Beautiful", which takes that piece of patriotic music and voices it to sound mournful and regrettable, pained and unoptimistic to Samuel Barber's "Adagio", this is powerful music, certainly amongst the best big band performance I've heard in the past several years.

Haden's arrival with this project is just in time from my perspective, I was starting to lose faith in anyone musically speaking out. Thankfully, I was proven wrong. Highly recommended.

To those of us who can remember the stark foray into the free-jazz orchestrated chaos of the original 1968 LP, (particularly on side 2), this 2004 studio recording, made in Rome during the band's European tour, is a more-controlled and sombre musical commentary on the current war/political scene in America.

Beautifully recorded...On the Barber Adagio, the 5-man (& woman) brass section sounds as full as the Berlin Phil!

Plus some sterling, unidentified trumpet soloing on 'Goin' Home' a tune which sounds completely American Spiritual in origin but is from Dvorak's New World Symphony! (I would have to assume the soloist is Michael Rodriguez as his name is first in the tpt. credits.)

Although you will miss the Latin-styled guitar stylings of Mick Goodrick from the 1968 LP, this release not being a tribute to songs from the Spanish Civil War, there is an undercurrent of excitement generated throughout via the chordings of Carla Bley (impossible to believe she is self-taught!), Charley's thoughtful contributions and especially: The crisp drumming of Matt Wilson!

Charlie Haden and Carla Bley front a terrific reconstitued Liberation Music Orchestra. Without the late, great Don Cherry the sound could never be the same but Not In Our Name does not try to replicate its first or second reincarnation. Most notable is the lack of Latin sounds which only stand out in the opening title track whereas the first LMO recording and Ballad of the Fallen had a stronger Latin influence. This is not a bad thing by any means as it allows Carla Bley's talent and versitility as an arranger shine through. Her treatment of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings (the most soundtrack-recorded piece of classical music in history)is fresh enough to make it interesting without disrespecting the original genre. Even more compelling and the best piece on the disc is Goin'Home, which despite the title, comes from a Dvorak work.

The only places where Not In Our Name suffers are unfortunately in the middle of the CD. A medley that starts with America the Beautiful is followed by Amazing Grace (which has probably been recorded more than any song in the history of music). Neither of these tracks are are very interesting and while their inclusion makes sense in some contextual way, their sound clunks along like outtakes from Swordfishtrombones.

However, don't be put off by those tracks because 1 through 3 and 6 through 8 are more than forty minutes of the best ensemble jazz your likely to hear. If you find yourself liking this recording you may want to check out Kenny Wheeler's excellent Music for Large and Small Ensembles or any of the incredible Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra recordings.

If I have the time frame right,all of the LMO recordings(includiong the 1999 Montreal release which was recorded in 1989)were recorded during US Republican administrations-hmmm. Odd,too, that this very American recording was recorded in Italy while touring Europe. This music needs to be heard in the good 'ol USA,from Independence Hall to the Golden Gate Bridge and beyond-from sea to shining sea.
Anyway,the posted song lineup above comes from the manufacturer's notes and the outside package of the album. It should be noted that the "America the Beautiful" medley actually contains two different selections titled"America the Beautiful":the familiar "Oh,beautiful,for spacious skies..." credited to Samuel Augustus Ward and Gary McFarland's "America the Beautiful".Gary's "America" was first recorded by McFarland in 1969,during the Vietnam War and around the time of Haden's first LMO recording. McFarland wrote a wry take on America,both bitter and sweet. Carla Bley and Charlie do Gary justice while giving this current administration a musical middle finger. The entire album is intelligent,professional,truthful,unapologetic(the title,NOT IN OUR NAME) with a keen sense of humor and an undercurrent of anger-qualities this current administration no nothing about.

In a way, it's unfortunate that this recording has a political base. Because of this, what evolves here might be viewed, by some, as merely an attempt at political statement which they may not necessarily appreciate. For anyone adverse to political pronouncements not necessary to their liking (the title, itself, may turn some off), the opportunity to experience some truly beautiful, engrossing music may be missed.

Listen to this music. It is truly beautiful, from beginning to end, compelling, and exemplary of what an incredible talent Charlie Haden is, both as a conceptualist and musician.

To judge this CD purely on the basis of the political message it contains is an under-analysis and entirely misses the point of the record. Whatever side one is approaching this from, one cannot deny that Haden's intention is to use music for unity rather than to highlight his side of the divide.

Having said that, the CD suffers from a couple of song choices which are too obvious and are the clear result of a risk that didnt pay off. When choosing to record such songs as 'America the Beautiful', 'Amazing Grace' and 'Adagio for Strings', one must either have something exceptional up one's sleeve, or be prepared to accept the heavy burden of instinctive juxtaposition with the thousands of versions previously recorded. 'Adagio for Strings' is a success, and the latter parts of the 'America the Beautiful' medley also, but 'Amazing Grace' (while containing some worthy moments) and 'America the Beautiful' itself are far too unremarkable for me.

The recording deserves four stars because it offers more than these failed risks. The title track, the Metheny/Mays/Bowie composition 'This is not America' and the Bill Frisell composition 'Throughtout' are exceptional arrangements and performances, with 'Blue Anthem' and 'Goin' Home' following just behind them.

A record worth purchasing if found at a decent price, but I would be surprised if it beat the first LMO album to the top of your favourites.

The arrangements and compositions in this album are very fresh and interesting to listen to. I would recommend this album to any one who needs to listen to something that is just simply good music all around and not cliche' sounding.

What I can say is good, good Jazz, with a good deal of "Protest", in the music. The swagger, and sway of the music leads one in one direction, and then "Bam" it goes off in another. "Amazing Grace" has to be the one tune that is most surprising, but it satisfies.

No playing around, just good solid Jazz music, with a throw back of 60s protest knitted into to a rhythmic persona that is so pleasing to the Jazz lovers ear. Then Mr. Haden and Company get really deep with "This Is Not America" is in itself a reawakening for most Americans, when one looks behind the music, or reads between the lines.

Next there is some "Homage" paid to Classical Music with their rendition of "Adagio (From Adagio For Strings)" for those somewhat unfamiliar with Jazz, but happen to be lovers of Classical Music, will love this selection, or not.

All in all this CD is some of Mr. Haden's best work, and I hope his productions will just continue to improve, and improve. The universe is the limit, and good Jazz is limitless.

Give "Not In Our Name" a good listen, and see what you feel. This CD has good feelings.

The recent death of Rosa Parks confronts us again with an appreciation of how much "common" women and men forged a new sense of democracy in America. Their unselfish acts of courage and sacrifice enlarged the concept of democracy through citizen participation. This is a gift to the world. The Liberation Music Orchestra honors the courage of the Spirits Known and Unknown through sensitive and moving renditions of music that is classical in a very democratic sense. These are messages from our ancestors. May their spirits always enrich us, encourage us, and enoble us.