Wayne Shorter - Adams Apple (7 tracks) +Album Reviews

A+ for "Adam's Apple"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 09/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Adam's Apple" finds tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter returning to a quartet setting after the avant-garde, multi-horn experiments of "The All-Seeing Eye" (see my review). Recorded during two sessions in February 1966, the album features Wayne with the rhythm trio of Herbie Hancock on piano, Reggie Workman on bass and Joe Chambers on drums. These players all knew each other well as Wayne and Herbie had been members of the Miles Davis Quintet for more than a year, not to mention their prior Blue Note collaborations. Furthermore, Wayne and Reggie had both been in the Jazz Messengers in the early 60s, and Wayne had partnered with Joe Chambers on his previous two Blue Note sessions. All this added up to a great deal of musical rapport and chemistry that translated directly to the tunes. Of Wayne's three quartet albums for Blue Note, this is arguably the best. As great as "JuJu" and "Etc" are, they have their flaws -- "JuJu" comes off sounding a little too Coltrane-like (it's hard not to when you play with both McCoy and Elvin) while "Etc" was often uneven (it did sit in the vaults for years). With "Adam's Apple," Wayne had reached the pinnacle of his style and expression in modal jazz, and shortly he would go searching for new frontiers both with Miles and on his own. But at this stage in his career he simply gets an A+ for "Adam's Apple.""

Wow!

Thomas Horan | Chapel Hill, NC | 12/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you don't have any of his records, you're probably familiar with Wayne Shorter's warm, yet introspective saxophone sound from his work with the Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis. Indeed, despite Wayne's endearing modesty, I don't think I'm alone in feeling that his solos often outshine Miles'.

Adam's Apple, Wayne's fifth album for Blue Note, is probably his most instantly enjoyable among a crop of spectacular recordings. First of all, Wayne is an imaginative and prolific composer. I rate the title track and El Gaucho among his finest tunes. Secondly, this LP has a funky swing guaranteed to set your feet dancing. It's one of those rare modal albums that's rich enough for the seasoned listener, but bops hard enough for the kids. Finally, Wayne is backed by superlative, forward-thinking musicians: Herbie Hancock, Reggie Workman, and Joe Chambers.

The sound quality on this RVG edition is pristine and it boasts a terrific bonus track by Hancock. Don't wait any longer than you have to, this baby merits rush delivery!

"

In the crowded top tier of Wayne Shorter albums!

J. Lund | SoCal, USA | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As if his prior free-jazz leaning THE ALL SEEING EYE album never happened, Shorter follows up that challenging set with a set of excellent tunes that rate up there with the selections heard on such classic albums as JUJU and SPEAK NO EVIL in terms of keeping advanced concepts melodically memorable for the listener. Another quartet date (with Herbie Hancock, Reggie Workman, and Joe Chambers), several of Wayne's most renowned tunes are included, including his version of "Footprints" (also recorded with Miles Davis), "El Gaucho," the title cut, the pretty ballad "Teru," and the Coltrane-like "Chief Crazy Horse." A bonus track is "The Collector," which Davis recorded under the title "Teo's Bag." For those interested in Shorter's work, this is among the first discs to pick up."

Classic Blue Note Record

Timothy G. Niland | New Jersey, USA | 09/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amongst Wayne Shorter's consistently excellent Blue Note recordings of the mid to late '60's, Speak No Evil gets the nod from most critics as the best record of the period, but I have always preferred the stripped down quartet sessions of Juju and this wonderful album. Joining Shorter (tenor sax only, no soprano) on this disc are Herbie Hancock on piano, Reggie Workman on bass and Joe Chambers on drums. This session followed the classic Blue Note blueprint of the period, mixing the blues and ballads of hard bop with some of the emerging freedom of the period. There's some burning saxophone on the driving title track, abstract balladering of "501 Blues" and the epic soon-to-be-standard "Footprints" which would go on to be one of the most memorable jazz compositions of the post-war period."

Polished Apple

Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 04/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1966 session finds Wayne Shorter in fine form, leading a quartet comprised of Herbie Hancock (piano), Reggie Workman (bass), and Joe Chambers (drums). While I don't think this album is quite as powerful as Speak No Evil or Night Dreamer, this is still a strong set from Shorter, whose eclectic compositions never cease to astound. He wrote all of the pieces here, save "502 Blues (Drinkin' and Drivin'), contributed by Jimmy Rowles, a pianist Shorter admired and "The Collector", written by Hancock, which wasn't part of the original release. Shorter is outstanding as always, given more room to stretch out without another horn present. Also given more space here is Herbie Hancock, whose sprightly piano lines really give this album its character.

"Adam's Apple" is a groovy opener, which the updated liner notes seem to dismiss as Shorter's attempt at "The Sidewinder". I found the piece very enjoyable, if not as complex as some of Shorter's other work. "502 Blues" is lovely, more ballad than blues. My favorite on the album, it brings to mind driving at night under hazy streetlights. "El Gaucho" borrows from bossa nova, given a unique feel by Shorter. The highlight of the set is probably "Footprints", a Shorter masterpiece, probably more familiar in its Miles Smiles incarnation, but given an amazing reading here. The central sax riff is very haunting, backed by some dynamite bass work from Workman. "Teru" is another magnificent ballad, while "Chief Crazy Horse" shows off Shorter's Coltrane-esque side. The Van Gelder edition closes with "The Collector", which would be recast as "Teo's Bag" when performed with Miles Davis.

I really enjoyed this album. While Speak No Evil remains my favorite by Shorter, I think some of Herbie Hancock's finest work can be found here. He really sounds amazing and the quartet setting really allows for some fine interplay between he and Shorter. Excellent work and the recording/remaster sounded excellent as always."

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	Wayne Shorter Adam's Apple Genres: Jazz, Pop Track Listings (7) - Disc #1 Adam's Apple 502 Blues (Drinkin' and Drivin') - Wayne Shorter, Rowles, Jimmy El Gaucho Footprints Teru Chief Crazy Horse The Collector [*] - Wayne Shorter, Hancock, Herbie
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