Search - Gil Evans :: Priestess

Great band -fantastic solos!.

06/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is some band.And ther is some real good stuff here.Just listen to the title track,19 minutes of Priestess by Billy Harper recorded live in May 1977 in St.George Church ,New York. The group starts to build a groove very early on,all the instruments contributing to a build up.In comes David Sanborn (alto) over a very restrained supporting group,most reeds sitting out early on.His solo is brilliant and well driven along by Gil Evans arrangement.This is a great example of the excitement a big band can generate. Lew Soloff follows immediately on trumpet-his solo is both searching and scorching.Another piece of exciting playing which he keeps up for several minutes. He hands over to Arthur Blythe on alto.He is more considered and reflective in his solo but just as intense as Sanborn. The wonderful thing about all 3 solos is listening to the support given by the band-reduced to only 2 or 3 instruments from time to time. This gives the soloists, particularly Blythe, room to shine.The whole piece is a showcase for the 3 magnificent solos.I never tire of playing this track-at full volume it is a dramatic and lovely piece which shows what a big band is cpable of without resorting to stiff and dull chart music.The other 3 tracks are equally good,"Short Visit" ( another Sanborn showcase) in particulr. I have seen opinions to the contrary but I personally find this to be one of Gil Evans most enjoyable recordings."

Absolutely fantastic

Lovblad | Geneva, Switzerland | 08/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this after having seen gil evans in montreux, with RMS i think. This is a fantastic record."

Priestess is great

chris@martnet.com | philadelphia | 01/07/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The track priestess is great, it has one of the best trumpet solos i have ever heard in my life. Don't be confused this is not big band jazz at all and it is very exciting. Don't forget this joe did a lot of arrangements for miles in the 50's and 60's. The title track is 5 stars while the rest is a 3.5 in my opinion."