Customer Reviews

Sail Away

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I'm surprised no-one has reviewed this wonderful album yet! It's going to be a real treat for you if you haven't heard this one! It was first released in 1989 and at that time, as I recall, was given either 4 or 5 stars in Downbeat; which was where I first heard about it. I found a Japanese import copy in a small music store, and haven't been able to find a Japanese person to interpret the liner notes until now!

In a nutshell, this is a superb session, with a classic quintet sound on most tracks, and Tom's fine compositions and arrangements; not unlike the work he had done before this with Phil Woods, and also on his own albums prior to this one. This album is definitely one of Tom's finest. For those not entirely thrilled with his more recent large and small ensemble works, this great session should be checked out immediately!

Tom plays mostly trumpet throughout, but uses the "big horn" on the title track. The other solists share duties throughout the album. For me this is not too much of a distraction, but it might be for some who may prefer a more uniform sound throughout an entire session. Joe Lovano and John Abercrombie alternate as the other main soloist, and there's two tracks with Dave Liebman on soprano as well. I've never really enjoyed the flute, but Cheryl Pyle also flutters in effectively for an appearance on one track.

The rhythm section on this session is absolutely outstanding! They are really cooking right from Adam Nussbaum's drum solo-intro to the first track! He's fired up for sure! But so are bassist Ray Drummond, and pianist James Williams; who was a revelation to me on this album. His playing is just wonderful.

Tom Harrell has penned some great tunes throughout his career, and a couple of them can be found on this album. The title track for instance, is a really nice bossa with some lovely flugelhorn playing from Tom, and some fine work from John Abercrombie. 'It Always Is' is another classic track, but they are ALL very good.

The last two tracks on this recently reissued version were not originally released on Sail Away, but were previously only available on the unreleased-tunes compilation album 'Visions'. They belong here though, because they were recorded with these musicians, and at the same time as the other tracks; and they're both great tracks! What a wonderful bonus!

I could go on, but all in all this really enjoyable album is a swinging, lyrical excursion into the modern Jazz heartland. Love Jazz? Like Tom Harrell? Check this out!

This disc was my introduction to the genius of Tom Harrell and it was also one of his first solo ventures after leaving the esteemed quintet of Phil Woods. Backing him on tenor saxophone and soprano sax are two of the best on their instruments on separate tracks, Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman. The late James Williams glows on piano but it's Tom's playing and compositions that will grab you. The late recently departed Freddie Hubbard remarked that Tom Harrell is one of the few horns he listens to in an interview he gave over a year ago.