Search - James Spaulding :: Brilliant Corners

Masterful interpretations

Tyler Smith | Denver, CO United States | 01/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of many CDs I've purchased in the last couple of years, this easily ranks as one of the best. Kudos to Muse for finally recording Spaulding as a leader in 1988 and now to Joel Dorn for reissuing the disk.As the title indicates, "Brilliant Corners" is filled with music by Monk. But what stands out is the freshness of the interpretations of the master's pieces. Rather than simply trying to sound like Monk, Spaulding and his cohorts try -- very successfully -- to make music that builds on Monk's ideas.Spaulding tears through every solo he has on alto, and offers beautiful contrast with his flute playing, as on "Let's Cool One." He's aided by trumpeter Wallace Roney, who abandons his occasional propensity for imitating Miles Davis and instead lets his own sound shine through. Pianist Mulgrew Miller has never sounded better. In fact, the whole group (Ron Carter on bass and Kenny Washington on drums) strongly delivers the message that they are playing music that they love. There is no better way to express that love than by offering the robust voicings that you hear on this disk.If there is a regret when you listen to this music it is that Spaulding, who contributed so much to Blue Note dates in the '60s, has had so few opportunities to further explore his own muse. Better late than never."

Excellent CD of Monk music

Ed Friedman | Kirkland, WA United States | 11/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great CD and great value too. James Spaulding plays flute on a number of tunes, it's great! An excellent band that includes Ron Carter. I especially like the version of Let's Cool One and Brilliant Corners."

A fine effort by a mainly forgotten star

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 05/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Story goes that after a number of excellent second horn sessions on mid 60's Blue Note where flute.alto,and soprano were wielded masterfully by James Spaulding he was given a shot as a leader.He was the non star(leader) that was called in many,many times.But at the point he got his offer Direction/Production had switched from Alfred Lion to Francis Wolff and A&R fro Ike Quebec to Duke Pearson.Bottom line was they offered Spaulding a shot if he would fit into the new funky blues idiom of the Liberty era and he refused not being true to the hard bop form.



Well even though he recorded few albums as a leader latter on labels like Muse("Smile Of The Snake" and "Blues Nexus are also fine 4 star or better efforts).He he has and excellent session with Wallace Ronney on trumpet,Mulgrew Miller and Ron Carter on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.Fine line up.And though there are so many Monk tribute Lp's it is the musicianship wielded with passion that makes this a cut of above.As mentioned his flute playing is fine.I find jazz flute hit or miss and here it just works fine.Not a direct copy of the Monk style it shows th timeless of the compositions (not that a total analogue LP with some personal character is bad-see Walter Davis Jr. piano solo "In Walked Thelonius").I'd call this no an essential Lp but for Monk fans it may be.

Cheers

Chazz"