Customer Reviews

Tale of God's Will

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I sincerely doubt it. I also don't think there's much of substance that I can add to what previous reviewers have said about this CD. I've known of trumpeter Blanchard for some time now and have been aware of his well-established working partnership with filmmaker Spike Lee but it wasn't until I heard his score for Inside Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), that I actually began to sit up and take notice. Then the Lee documentary When the Levees Broke came out and I remember wishing when I reviewed the DVD that the music from the documentary would be released on CD. Blanchard's work on it is truly amazing.

Well, we haven't got that exactly but we've got the next best thing and probably the nearest thing to it we'll ever get. I'm on vacation in northern California at the moment so I can't be 100% certain but I think three or four of the songs here are from the documentary (or revised and/or expanded versions of them) and all the others are definitely inspired by it. In the inner-sleeve notes, Blanchard walks us through various scenes in the documentary and explains how these inspired the various pieces of music. Others are inspired by the effect the disaster has had on Blanchard's own life, the lives of the people he loves and indeed, the life of his home city.

It's an incredible set. He's joined by Brice Winston, particularly impressive on tenor & soprano saxophones, Aaron Parks (who is also tremendously impressive here) on piano, Derrick Hodge on acoustic and electric basses, Kendrick Scott on drums & percussion and Zach Harmon on tabla & the happy apple - whatever THAT is. Kudos to the band as a whole though; they are as talented, tight and expressive as ever. But there's even more: they are joined by The Northwest Sinfonia, conducted by Blanchard; contractor and concertmaster, Simon James.

The New Orleans tragedy is still ongoing by all accounts and this must be incredibly painful for the people who live in the city and love it as much as Blanchard obviously does. The emotions he freely shares with the listener, I find mournful, plaintive and yet hopeful (though that last one might just be me projecting). Listening to this CD is a strange experience but not an unpleasant one by any means, though I was moved to tears more than once. I've been to The Big Easy twice myself and have fond memories of the place but I haven't been back since Katrina. A debate is ongoing in my head on that subject.

But back to the music. This is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding CDs I've bought this month and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Jazz trumpet and strings - what's not to like? If you're already a fan of Blanchard's music of course this one's a no-brainer. But if you like the string-backed stuff by people like Chris Botti or Roy Hargove, while they're cool and all, this one's on a completely different level. The references to Miles Davis aren't misplaced either in my view. I truly believe this is the kind of music Miles would be making today, if he was still with us. Try putting this one on in the dead of night while the city around you sleeps. It will take you places, I guarantee it. The seventy-two and a half minutes or so will have flown by before you've realised it. This is one of those instances where I feel that five stars just aren't enough.

For those who did not see Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, the experience of listening to this emotional music conjures up images of loss and perseverance after Katrina.

Blanchard has roots in Miles Davis's long, lonely notes, his drawn-out cadence. He also draws on the indigenous music of Louisiana -- in particular, New Orleans funeral music -- in his quiet pieces. This is night music of the highest order, enhanced by an amazing quintet and a jazz orchestra that plays with distinction. I can't single out this cut or that because the work hangs together as a whole

If you relished Miles Davis in the 1950's and '60's, this release will fit you like a glove -- all 72 minutes of it. The whole set is a bit like 'Round Midnight, but with much more exploration and more ties to time and place.

There is currently no parallel to this work in jazz. A beautiful, thoughtful album by one of the leading jazz musicians of this generation.

Terence Blanchard is no stranger to penning good music, but in every note, chord and lick of the snare, I could feel his love for New Orleans on this musical masterpiece. Thank you for the opportunity to share in your 'Requiem' Mr. Blanchard. It was an experience just to hear it through my iPod. I await the day you pass through the DC/Baltimore area so I can experience this wonderful music live.

This is hands down the best album out of any musical genre that I have bought in the past 2 to 3 years. It is what I would call a musical freak of nature.

Blanchard does not need words to describe how he feels. You can feel his sadness and rage throughout this entire album. Everything from the rhythm sections to the lead bluesy trumpet solos captivates your ears and your emotions.

Truely a masterpiece. I listen speechlessly in awe everytime I put this album on the cd player.

Thank you Terence Blanchard. This is a moving work from start to finish.The album works as a whole or as individual tunes-well produced--I love the prominence of the piano in the mix.Blanchard's trumpet is prominent but not overbearing.The sound is like being in a small concert hall "perfect" . "Over There" written by Derrick Hodge is one of the most moving pieces I have heard. The melody is simple but the overall effect of the tune on the listener is one of openess--the tune opens your heart.This tune gives me chills everytime.Please no one put words to --it speaks volumes without them.

The inspiration for this CD is the icing on the cake, as it's terrific all the way through and everyone in the band shines. At various points, different members of the band can be heard, especially pianist Aaron Parks, and they all contribute something to it.

"Ghost of Congo Square" is a good start, but the really great material comes right away after it, from "Levees" to "Wading Through" to the beautiful tune "Ashe". "In Time of Need" and "Mantra" are also fine tunes, the latter having a good intro right before it, and "Dear Mom" brings it to a beautiful close.

Although I've only highlighted a handful of them, there isn't a bad song on this CD at all and they go together very well.

This is the first CD I have bought by Terence, and it won't be the last.

Terence Blanchard has always delivered stellar work...point blank, period. What's invigorating about this latest project is its level of personal sincerity and depth in understanding the internal spritual and physical dynamics at play in such an recording, since those voices of those affected throughout each area by the disaster can still be heard, hauntingly, reminding all of those who care that there's still work to be done. There's plenty of hope and optimism throughout the recording as well as Mantra brillantly illustrates.

Similar to Wynton Marsalis "From the Plantation to the Penitentary," the emotions pour from their horns. Buy both with curiosity, openess, and enthusiasm, or stop listening to music altogether.

this is my first listen to terence blanchard and i can see this cd will get a lot of playtime on my stereo. his music is epic and haunting. he continues on the great legacy of trumpeters in new orleans, and is a perfect person to interpret the lament of all who live in that city.

If you love good music this is a must have. Wading Through is the baddest instrumental I've heard since Green Onions & White Silvery Sands. Those are golden oldies. I first heard "Wading Through" enroute to work one morning. It took me a year to find who it was and on what album (cd). This cut grabs you and holds you, takes to a summit and keeps you there. You're really glad it's over 6 minutes long. It alone is reason enough to buy this album. Exceptionally great piano (Aaron Parks).

I heard Terence's first performance of this composition at the Monterey Jazz Festival! This is the most magical, profound music composed in quite a while. I rank this composition as one of the best jazz compositions of this decade, on par with American classics by Gershwin. You can feel the joy, pain, storm, beauty, sadness, of New Orleans in ways that I never thought possible.
What surprised me was that the composition is not trumpet-centric. The trumpet comes in when needed and at the right time.
If you want to give anyone a CD for Christmas, give them this CD.

5 Stars is not enough for this CD.