Requiem

Branford Marsalis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
• ASIN: B0012GN224
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,167 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Doctone

2. Trieste

3. A Thousand Autumns

4. Lykief

5. Bullworth

6. Elysium

7. Cassandra

8. 16th St. Baptist Church

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly Beautiful and Important ***** Disc, November 12, 2001

By 

"zimri-lim" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Requiem (Audio CD)

Having come to listen to Branford Marsalis only recently I am kicking myself that it has taken so long to start exploring the music of this very creative gentleman. Through his career the key characteristic he has displayed is the degree to which he stretches himself over different music types and band formats. Some may appeal whereas others may not. Therefore it seems wise to consider each Branford release individually - this one is no exception.

With this release Branford is in reflective, emotive and expressive mode. He has replaced his driving and funky jazz sound with something more individual and searching. One is reminded of the more reflective side of Coltrane's output from the early 60's - Alabama for instance. This is where Branford really works best in my opinion. He displays a compositional capability which articulates and develops his ideas to a degree beyond other jazz musicians and the result is deeply satisfying and moving.

This music has hit all of my hot buttons - it's creative but still accessible, the sound is fantastic, expecially Branford's sax, and the ensemble playing is superb. It is immediately apparent that the quality of the compositions, all but one by Marsalis, is outstandingly high. All of the compositions sound excellent especially "Trieste" and "A Thousand Autumns".

Marsalis has managed to create music which is truly expansive and original (at least to my ears) and which has a natural flow and progression. The musicians are excellent; of particular note is Kenny Kirkland who makes a strong contribution to the production. In addition the quality of the recording is high.

I cannot recommend this music highly enough. Just go and buy it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful culmination of one of jazz's greatest quartets., May 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Requiem (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Marsalis and his inspiring Quaret in Calgary a month before Kenny's passing. The songs on "Requiem" are a sample of the incredibly challenging music they had performed on this tour. Without question, I think the symbionic level of group interaction on this recording outshines anything I have heard from any Marsalis outing. The fact that it is comprised of first takes is a testament to the level of musicianship we are dealing with here. This is easily my favourite CD of 1999.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Branford Marsalis qquartet comes into their own, July 12, 1999

By 

Jeff Hubbard (SLC, UTAH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Requiem (Audio CD)

How sad that this is the last recording of Branford's quartet, when it is easily their best and shows all the earmarks of a band with the potential to get even better. I've questioned Branford's depth as an improvisor in the past, but no more - at times here, he sounds as amazing as Joe Henderson in his prime. Kirkland always was a beautiful, profound musician, and this album is just one more painful reminder of what a loss he is to the world of jazz and music in general. And, let's not forget Jeff Watts - his drumming alone on this album would be reason enough to buy it. I agree that this is definitely a contender for the best jazz album of the year.