Search - Gerald Wilson :: Portraits

Vintage Gerald Wilson

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 06/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As far as I can tell, this was recorded in 1963 and I have had my cd about 8 to 10 years. From his latest cds, looking back, the major difference in the music is mainly the personnel. The charts have a distinctive quality about them that always suggests to me that this is Gerald Wilson. The backgrounds more often than not have a rather brooding , harmonious, repetitious theme overlaid by usually energetic first rate solos. I don't have a music education so it is hard for me to describe....but it is unique and brings to my mind some of the things I've heard by Gil Evans. Regardless, over the years the band has had a lot of well known first rate musicians and this one is no exception. Unfortunately, soloists are not documented but Bud Shank is on flute on "Caprichos" and the two tenors in the band are Teddy Edwards and Harold Land. Joe Pass is the guitarist for the whole session.Five of the tracks are originals, four of which are named after people he has encountered, such as "Eric" dedicated to Eric Dolphy, Jr. The other two tracks are a really swinging band version of "So What" and an appropriately moody arrangement of "'Round Midnight".It is a distinctly different sounding big band, but one that is has definite appeal......and that's what it's all about."