CHARLES LLOYD & THE MARVELS - I Long To See You
Blue Note Records
Charles Lloyd (tnr & fl) Bill Frisell (gtr) Greg Leisz (ped st gtr) Reuben Rogers (bs) Eric Harland (drs) with guest vocalists Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
This is the 42nd release by one of the greatest saxophonists of the modern era. Now aged seventy seven Charles Lloyd's career was split right down the middle when after changing most peoples perception of jazz with "Forest Flower and "Dream Weaver" in 1966, he decided to take a spiritually induced sabbatical for most of the seventies. From his return to regular playing and recording in 1981 nearly all of his output has been of the highest level and provided new angles and surprises on every disc. For this session he has dispensed with his regular pianist Gerald Clayton and has introduced a two guitar line up giving the band a complete new sound particularly when the unique sound of Bill Frisell is up front.
Thing's get going with an eight minute exploration of Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War" where both guitars provide early impact behind the leaders tenor before Bill Frisell takes the lead supported by pedal steel and busy drums, the tenor returns with urgency before the guitars handle the play out. Lloyd's sixties output is reprised where the flute leads on "Of Course Of Course" and "Sombrero Sam" is given more depth and atmosphere than the original. The traditional songs "La Lorona" and the wonderful "Shenandoah" are given fresh readings, the latter being played straight, over laid back guitars and bass backdrop. The spiritual quality of "All My Trials" is enhanced by searching and melancholy tenor, gelling perfectly with the guitar due. Ed McCurdy's "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream" features the unmistakable voice of Willie Nelson with the leaders solo reflecting his enthusiasm for the singers work. There is a short but high impact interpretation of the the funeral like "Abide With Me" before an impassioned vocal from Nora Jones is delivered on "You Are so Beautiful" where laconic saxophone and the quality of the initial theme statement from the guitars make this one of the stand out tracks of the album.
The album closes with a sixteen minute take of "Barche Lamsel".(This is a prayer to the guru and mystic Rinpoche" seeking the removal of all obstacles so that favourable conditions can exist!) The leaders impassioned playing here on both instruments contribute to a tour de force for all, reflecting his life long beliefs. This entire album is full of contrast and fine playing, placing it firmly into a long line of the recording triumphs that Charles Lloyd has made over his five decade steller career.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Blue Note Records
Charles Lloyd (tnr & fl) Bill Frisell (gtr) Greg Leisz (ped st gtr) Reuben Rogers (bs) Eric Harland (drs) with guest vocalists Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
This is the 42nd release by one of the greatest saxophonists of the modern era. Now aged seventy seven Charles Lloyd's career was split right down the middle when after changing most peoples perception of jazz with "Forest Flower and "Dream Weaver" in 1966, he decided to take a spiritually induced sabbatical for most of the seventies. From his return to regular playing and recording in 1981 nearly all of his output has been of the highest level and provided new angles and surprises on every disc. For this session he has dispensed with his regular pianist Gerald Clayton and has introduced a two guitar line up giving the band a complete new sound particularly when the unique sound of Bill Frisell is up front.
Thing's get going with an eight minute exploration of Bob Dylan's "Masters Of War" where both guitars provide early impact behind the leaders tenor before Bill Frisell takes the lead supported by pedal steel and busy drums, the tenor returns with urgency before the guitars handle the play out. Lloyd's sixties output is reprised where the flute leads on "Of Course Of Course" and "Sombrero Sam" is given more depth and atmosphere than the original. The traditional songs "La Lorona" and the wonderful "Shenandoah" are given fresh readings, the latter being played straight, over laid back guitars and bass backdrop. The spiritual quality of "All My Trials" is enhanced by searching and melancholy tenor, gelling perfectly with the guitar due. Ed McCurdy's "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream" features the unmistakable voice of Willie Nelson with the leaders solo reflecting his enthusiasm for the singers work. There is a short but high impact interpretation of the the funeral like "Abide With Me" before an impassioned vocal from Nora Jones is delivered on "You Are so Beautiful" where laconic saxophone and the quality of the initial theme statement from the guitars make this one of the stand out tracks of the album.
The album closes with a sixteen minute take of "Barche Lamsel".(This is a prayer to the guru and mystic Rinpoche" seeking the removal of all obstacles so that favourable conditions can exist!) The leaders impassioned playing here on both instruments contribute to a tour de force for all, reflecting his life long beliefs. This entire album is full of contrast and fine playing, placing it firmly into a long line of the recording triumphs that Charles Lloyd has made over his five decade steller career.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
