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MP3 After Hours - Up Into The Big Blue Sound
10 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Contemporary Jazz, JAZZ: Latin Jazz
Show all album songs: Up Into The Big Blue Sound Songs
Details:
If you want a good idea of the aural landscapes a supremely accomplished quintet of jazz musicians can create in the 21st century, After Hours third CD, Up Into the Big Blue Sound, is an excellent place to start.
The clarity of musical expression that flows from these musicians'' hearts and minds in these ten original recordings...but wait, I must stop.
Like Miles Davis. I never believed music requires explanations,it just needs to be heard.
Doubtless, you are as capable as I am of appreciating music of this high quality. And certainly you don''t need me to tell you whether these songs move you or not. However, I do have some thoughts and observations about this recording overall that I''d like to share with you.
Up Into the Big Blue Sound. It''s not just a song title. It also serves as the focal point for all the compositions in this stylistically diverse recording. Dave Irwin''s lyrics for “Big Blue” speak of keeping the musical faith while living in an era past the age when jazz culture flourished.
The theme of longing, of knowing that this place isn''t where we most want to be right now, is perfectly captured by another of his tunes, the conflicted “What You Did”. (Perhaps it''s just better to be lonely with someone than to be lonely alone). Even the title of the instrumental, “Wish I Was There”, by the remarkable keyboardist and composer, Caleb Hutslar, evokes a similar theme, as do the lyrics for “Neighborhood Stray” and “What Do I Care”, two numbers by After Hours'' guitarist, Mark Williams.
While I''m dropping song titles and band member names around here like flies, I should remark that it''s near impossible to miss the hint of wistful feeling inherent in Scott Grimmett''s intimate vocal treatment on “Lover In My Life”. This CD marks Scott''s recording debut with After Hours, by the way.
I wrote earlier that After Hours is a supremely accomplished jazz quintet, but their musical chops are never displayed simply for show. Rather they''re tastefully kept in service of the songs at hand. Percussionist Rick Soriano is a great case in point. Never over-or-under powering the proceedings, his pulse is literally the heart of the matter here.
I''d like to bring to your attention another aspect of these gentlemen, namely that they must have a great affinity for each other to play with such empathy and cohesiveness. Regardless of size, any congregation must make music with one voice to be artistically successful. These guys seem to play with powers that seem to border on telepathy at times. The proof is heard throughout the music on this CD.
And now a word about two very special guest vocalists. Mr. Cornell Wiley''s vocal delivery on “What Do I Care” is the very model of a perfectly rendered ballad. And no wonder. Has anyone nurtured as many budding musicians into exemplary practitioners of the jazz art as educator Wiley has? His performance credits are extraordinary, including playing bass with Muddy Waters and Lionel Hampton in addition to everyone else in between. The legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery was in Cornell''s band for crying out loud! Cornell also headed the hit vocal group, The Dozier Boys. They enjoyed huge successes in Las Vegas and on the road, as well as on the charts.
Meg Murphy. Dead on pitch; under recorded; class, taste and talent to burn; Perfect phrasing; rending; swinging; endearing. These are just a few of the adjectives that effortlessly come to mind when I think of Meg and there aren''t words in the language to describe her talent complete. (Well, maybe Shakespear could do her justice but the Philosopher of Swing doesn''t have the writing chops for it). Although I''ve heard her perform on at least a hundred occasions, no matter what the venue or how complex the song, I''ve yet to hear her make a mistake, and I don''t believe I ever will. If this treatment of Neighborhood Stray doesn''t touch your heart, you probably don''t have one.
Relax and tune in to the exceptional music of After Hours. Let them take you away up into the big blue sound and maybe you''ll be a better person for the ride. These songs go to places in the heart you are probably familiar with. Listen, and know we share common experiences that music can speak to. Listen and know you are not alone.
Credit: liner notes by the Philosopher of Swing.
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