From The Plantation To The Penitentiary

Wynton Marsalis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000MNOXWQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,103 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"We running all over the world with a blunderbuss/And the Constitution all but forgot in the fuss," Wynton Marsalis declaims on "Where Y'All At?"--the raucous theatrical finale to From the Plantation to the Penitentiary. As unusual as it may be for the celebrated trumpeter to present himself as a kind of soap box rapper, underwhelmingly taking aim at "supercapitalists," liberals, and rappers alike, the most notable departure here is his prominent feature of a vocalist, young Jennifer Sanon. A winner of the Essentially Ellington high school competition, she has real appeal and is smart, silky-toned, and calmly assured beyond her 21 years. The influence of the mighty Abbey Lincoln is felt in both the directness of her delivery and the soulful expansiveness of the music, performed by a quintet. Though Marsalis gets his time in the spotlight, playing with brittle strength as well as his customary warmth, he is generous in shining a spotlight on his bandmates, including a pair of talented up-and-comers in pianist Dan Nimmer and bassist Carlos Henriquez, drummer Ali Jackson, Jr. and saxophonist Walter Blanding, who, 15 years after being introduced on the "Tough Young Tenors" album and in spite of his stellar contributions to Marsalis' Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, doesn't get the attention he should. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

MARSALIS WYNTON FROM THE PLANTATION TO THE PENITENTIARY

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging., March 9, 2007

By 

Jimmy.M (New York City,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From The Plantation To The Penitentiary (Audio CD)

Wynton Marsalis has never shied away from tackling controversial subjects in his music, but this latest outing may well qualify as his most outspoken and politicised attack on American social division and hypocrisy so far. As the title implies, he takes a withering look at a subject he has broached in depth before, the troubled and violent history of African-Americans, but with a lot more besides.
The excesses of rampant capitalism, the brazen exploitation of the entertainment industry, and the moral and political failings in the nation's leadership (expressed in, of all things for this notorious jazz purist, a spoken rap entitled "Where Y'all At?") all come under intense scrutiny. Four of the album's seven tracks feature his latest protégé, singer Jennifer Sanon, and the trumpeter is supported instrumentally by saxophonist Walter Blanding and a slick rhythm section that sails through the ever-changing rhythm patterns of the music, all carefully specified in the insert notes.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tight band & stunning voice., March 7, 2007

By 

Pete C. "Prog-Pete" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From The Plantation To The Penitentiary (Audio CD)

I'm not one for Jazz with vocals. This is simply amazing. The key here is the moving lyrics along with the sultry voice. It just matches like bread and butter. Jennifer Sanon is AMAZING.
Now onto the supporting cast. I don't know who Wyntons mates are on this release, but they sure know how to groove and swing and play really smooth ballads. The playing and soloing is stellar. This is just an incredible 60 minutes of musical pleasure. It runs the gammut from anger to hope, from vindication to awareness. Musically it goes back and forth and ends with Wyntons "rap", which I really dug and felt that it ended this performance on a stern, but thoughtful note.
All in all, if you want to hear a truly fine piece of work, this is definitely for you. This is a great way to spend an hour. Put the headphones on enjoy the funky acoustic bass, the very tight drumming, the beautiful voice and the trumpet and sax collage. It's just STELLAR. 5 bright glowing stars. Hats off to Wynton Marsalis.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the plantation to the penthouse, March 13, 2007

By 

R. Snider "future-minded fellow" (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From The Plantation To The Penitentiary (Audio CD)

First, this album is satisfying musically. I enjoy every composition, and my enjoyment is growing. Second, this collection makes a significant political statement that is well worth hearing. Though I haven't stayed abreast of the arguments, I know that Wynton Marsalis has his critics. I am just taking what he's saying on this album -- musically and otherwise -- and judging it on its own merits. Hence, five stars. He attacks much of contemporary American culture, from the political establishment to the hip hop culture, and does so incisively. The album just might turn out to be an important influence for the good, that is, that some people will turn from the objects of his well-deserved scorn and embrace some of the better alternatives that he offers (for example, see "Love and Broken Hearts"). But, of course, it's going to take a whole lot more than one album for us to cast off the all-too-abundant banality and ugliness. Still, here's an effort for the side of truth, goodness, and beauty from an artist who sees much from that high vantage point.