Customer Reviews

Spirit Of The Moment: Live At The Village Vanguard

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Playing in a New York City club as honored in jazz circles as Yankee Stadium is in baseball (and where grand slam saxmen John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins gave some of their finest performances), new saxophone star Joshua Redman follows the tracks of jazz giants but gets a few base hits of his own.

He's helped by a receptive audience (which he thanks in the liner notes by saying, "Through you, jazz lives.") and first-rate combo including outstanding solos from pianist Peter Martin and drummer Brian Blade (who strikes several musical conversations and gospel style call-and-response with Redman, even contributing the atmospheric piece, "Mt. Zion.") Redman borrows slightly, but beautifully, from the master's "My Favorite Things" in his own "Second Snow," a lengthy composition featuring his melodic soloing against Martin's McCoy Tyner-ish piano intro.

Redman also dips into standards with mixed success; a straight, soulful rendition of "My One and Only Love," and a version of "Just In Time," that misses some of Jule Styne's lyric swing while launching off into four sharp solos. (He also has the habit of extending notes at finales to annoyance.)

Overall, "Spirit Of The Moment" recalls much of the traditional jazz known (and loved) before. But when most new jazz stars fall under the "smooth" banner (with critical barbs and high sales that entails), Redman's performances in this live setting show him and his combo to be growing jazz talents. Recommended.

two minutes into this double cd, and you will remember why you love jazz in the first place--it's flat out fun! occasionally, jazz artists, critics, fans, et al, get lost in their own rhetoric defending the art of jazz and forget that jazz, like all music, is supposed to be fun. jazz is a wonderful art form, giving voice to the purely improvisational, the free spirit within us that compels us to create, to respond to our environment, and reveal the depth and breadth of feeling carried within us. mr. redman is more than proficient. he is an artist and an improviser of high order. but he also remembers to swing, to dance, and play. right from the get-go this album captures your heart and soul and for the next couple of hours holds you there. when you're done, you don't feel exhausted, but refreshed, like you would have been had you been in the vanguard the night this went down. this is a great live set by an artist who keeps right on enjoying what he's doing. enjoy!

Redman delivers a ton of music on this two-CD collection of tunes gathered over a five-night stand at the Village Vanguard in 1995. There's nearly two and a half hours of music here, and most of it is well worth listening to, although there are times that Redman's relative youth is revealed and the sessions drag a bit.

There's no question that on the uptemp stuff, Redman is in complete command. "Herbs and Roots," "Slapstick" and a fine rendition of Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas" display his ability to burn through changes and to play all over the instrument without stumbling or losing his way. He's also very strong when he takes on the Coltranesque "Lyric," which winds up the second CD. He captures the passionate spirituality of Trane's music in this tune.

All of Redman's bandmates are major assets. Chris Thomas is solid on bass, Peter Martin is fleet on piano and capable of delivering lyricism and fire, and Brian Blades is quite simply one of the best young drummers out there.

The biggest complaint I have is that Redman hasn't quite found his voice on ballads and slower-tempo numbers yet, and that weakness is exposed on a couple of tunes on the CD, most notably "My One and Only Love." Here the saxophonist sounds uncertain of what he wants to do. He meanders around, seems to stray from the tune's lovely melody and generally presents a far different musical voice than the one we heard on the cookers. For contrast, play Coltrane's version, which he recorded with Johnny Hartmann. The difference in command is startling.

A personal gripe (I'm sure many won't agree) is the pointed inclusion of crowd noise. The crowds at the Vanguard were obviously huge Redman fans and they applaud heartily -- and distractingly -- for almost everything he does. I guess I come from a different listening generation. Jazz fans used to spend more of their time listening and saved their applause for when the musicians had finished their statements. This sounds more like a rock crowd.

That quibble aside, this is a good value and a useful document of Redman's continuing -- and very interesting -- development.

Wow, what a gig!

I actually heard about this CD from a friend of mine, who mentioned Joshua's take on Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas". After the stunning 4 minute introduction to the head of the tune, the band takes off.

The drummer, Brian Blade, several months ago held a clinic at a local jazz festival that my high school friends (who happen to be rhythm section players) and I played at. I was at a saxophone clinic at the time, but they said Brian was an amazing player, and this CD really shows his talent on the drums.

The uptempo C-minor blues, "Herbs $ Roots" is probably the most energetic recorded tune I have herd Joshua record to date (though I haven't heard ALL of his recordings yet). I did my best to read the solo transcription to it while it was playing.

In general, what a great, energetic CD with tons of amazing solos and transitions.

P.S. If you haven't been to the VV, I suggest you do so!

Initially disappointed by Redman's studio outings, I decided to give the live format a listen. "Live" is the real trial-by-fire for jazz musicians, and Redman doesn't disappoint in the least. The playing on this cd is really grand: Redman is reminiscent of a young Sonny Rollins. The oher highlight of this cd is the incredible playing Of Brian Blade. He's easily one of the best youngbloods on the scene today. Check these cats out, this is a great set!

I've had this CD for quite sometime and out of all the CD's I have in my possesion, I believe Joshua is ranked in the Top 5, if not the 1st, of the most influentical Contemporary artists for me and a personal rolemodel for me as a musician myself. This CD also highlights his ascending position in the Jazz World today. Some of my favorite tracks on the First of the two CD's are My One and Only Love. Even though it may seem just as a standard recreation of a valued classic, Joshua's use of glissandos (a techincal term, I know, but listen to the preview and u'll be able to recognize it when u hear it) and lip slides add a whole new level to the piece, one where self-expression is give the song a whole new value to the listener. Also his layed back style of soloing almost in a way, messes with the speed of the song for the better.

One more song I'd like to highlight is Second Snow. A very waltzy type of performance which adds gracefullness that can be like snow. It's soft & relaxed mood adds an atmospheric setting for me. His progression in the improvisation section also moves relaxed and layed back and as he gets further to the end of his solo, it becomes more complicated but not without a purpose, it follows through with a climatic end.

Bottom line, this is a valued CD to have in my collection and I'm sure for most people, you would value it too.

From the funny, funky opener "Jig A Jug" we know we are in for a fantastic ride! This sprawling live double album (CD) is a super-generous helping of Mr. Redman's continually expanding genius! From the Coltrane-inspired "Neverend" to the wildly expansive "Mount Zion" which is my personal fave, Josh and his trio never miss a beat, and the tension and interplay is so intense on several of these numbers it's almost unbearable. Drummer Brian Blade is in particularly fine form on on this set (just listen to the way he raises the stakes and seems to be challenging Josh to a musical "duel" on "Mount Zion", his playing is relentless!) Though both discs run over 70 minutes, you will not lose interest for a single moment, every note is simply joyous! Simply put, this is one of the greatest jazz recordings, and one one of the best 'live' recordings ever committed to tape. Buy this now, it's a classic in waiting.

This is a truly brilliant live 2cd set. And live is the way to hear jazz, and this album gives you the feeling that you are there in person. You can feel the excitement of the crowd. Redman and his quartet are excellent, and this set also shows off Joshua's songwriting skills, as all but 5 are written by him. I wasn't familiar with Redman until I purchased this album, and I was not at all disappointed. I mustn't forget the other musicians though, who also deserve to be mentioned. Peter Martin on piano, Christopher Thomas on bass, and Brian Blade on drums. Together, they make for a wonderful album which should belong in all jazz fans' collections.

Listening to the disk right now- amazing quality. The musicianship is right-on as is the production. Phenomenal rendition of Rollins' St. Thomas- Redman holds his own as a modern day purveyor of 'tenor madness.' The vanguard is a terrific venue- I feel like i'm there- listening to Redman live!

This is an amazing record. Give this to someone who doesn't 'get' jazz, and they will make a discovery. It is accessible, yet rich and challenging. Like all the best Jazz recordings it is live, with that 'live' immediacy and nice sound. My favorite of Redman's records, right ahead of the great 'Freedom in the Groove'.