Search - Anthony Braxton :: 23 Standards (Quartet) 2003

A treat for my fellow Braxtonians...

greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 10/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and a revelation for those who don't get Anthony.

I have followed AB's career ever since I came across a copy of For Alto soon after it's release. There were several things about AB that made him stand out from most of his free jazz brethren. AB was one of the first to really absorb and appreciate what was happening in contemporary classical music. Another thing that made AB stand out was his unabashed love of the jazz tradition. With the exceptions of Archie Shepp and Henry Threadgill, none of his generation has been as dedicated as AB in trying to both maintain and keep alive the tradition.

In the early 70s, AB started to record his traditions albums which have received very mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. My personal favorite of these (up to now) has been the he did with the Fred Simmons Trio on the Leo Label. AB has recorded homage albums that focused on the music of Monk, Tristano, Marsh, Parker and Andrew Hill

In recent years, AB has been fronting a tradition band of Kevin O'Neal on guitar, Andy Eulau on the bass and Kevin Norton on the drums. This is the group featured on the two Andrew Hill CDs and on 8 standards (wesleyen) 2001.

All of which brings us to this recording. This is a limited edition (only 1000 made) 4 CD set with O'Neal, Eulau and Norton. These CDs were recorded live in Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels, Guimaraes, Antwerp, Verona and Lisbon.

I am just going to state the facts- this box set is a monster. On both this set and the 2001 date, this working group of AB's makes a compelling argument that they are the best band on any of the tradition recordings and one of AB's better groups period. I would rank them just below the "classic quartet" of the 80's and AB's 70's groups with George Lewis.

AB has never sounded better. His tone is beautiful and his ideas are endless. His approach to these tunes can be very twisted as in the way he plays the melody on It's A Raggy Waltz. His sense of freedom from meter almost shreds the melody but its always there. The soli that follow from Braxton and O'Neal are outstanding examples of how to approach the tradition completely anew.

By the way, O'Neal is one of the strong reasons to pick up anything by this band. The liner notes talk him up as the most new important guitar player of the last decade. We shall see. But what can be stated is that he is a contender. He is insanely fast, precise, sensitive and witty. Sigh. Another career to follow and absorb. O! How we listeners suffer trying to keep up.

We should all try to keep up with AB. I would argue that every Braxtonian needs to own this recording or the 8 standards (wesleyen) 2001. They form another important chapter in one of the most prolific and productive careers of our time. Get it while you can.

"

A Nice (But Uneven) Collection of Standards

x | USA | 02/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good, but rather uneven, collection of standards by Braxton's recent quartet. The real highlight on these discs is the amazing guitar playing of Kevin O'Neil, who is a strong player that deserves much more attention in jazz circles. I had only heard him as a member of the GTM ensembles (Yoshi's recordings), and to hear him tackle standards so proficiently is a treat. Braxton's performance is good too, but it is clear from a technical perspective that he struggles with the control of the soprano. The rhythm section of Eulau and Norton are competent, but they do not push the music or provide it with an "edge." I'm not sure if this is because they are generally "out" players who are trying to adapt to the language of standards, but it is clear that they do not infuse the music with the vitality that exists on the original versions of these tunes (but I guess not everyone can be an Elvin Jones or Jimmy Garrison). I think anyone who loves 50s and 60s bop/post-bop will find the rhythm section to be pretty flat.



Basically, if you are a hardcore fan of Braxton, this is a set you will want to add to your collection. It is a limited edition of 1000 copies, so get it while you can. But be prepared for the peaks and valleys in terms of performance. In the end, it doesn't matter too much. If I want to hear a tight, more traditional ensemble, I will play early Coltrane, Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter's Vee Jay recordings, or Mobley on Blue Note, etc. I like this set simply because it is different. It is always enjoyable to learn about what Braxton has been up to these days. His creativity is vast and lovely, and to have another collection from him is quite welcome.



If anyone is curious to explore just one set of his standards, I would suggest they skip this collection and purchase the recently reissued "Charlie Parker Project 1993." Braxton's playing (and that of the other musicians) is completely awesome on those discs."

Brilliant

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 02/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very special 4 disc set that certainly deserves all the praise and hooplah it has received. All of the "standards" are Braxtonian in delivery, some moreso than others. That each tune is recognizeable from its initial appearance on record is not really the issue here. This whole point, I think, is that Mr. Braxton and his fellow musicians have presented these standards in a fresh, vibrant, and interesting way. There is no mocking or emulating of the originals. All the tunes are approached with Braxton's unique hand, yet they groove and swing in a way that would make Alfred Lion hop gleefully around the control room. Braxton, particularly, sounds envigorated and plays with fire and finesse. The rhythm section is supportive and swinging. Kevin O'Neil is outstanding on guitar. His contributions really make these discs worth hearing again and again. Amazon may be the last place to get this limited addition set. It seems to be sold out everywhere else. Get it here while you can!"