Search - Oliver Nelson, Joe Newman :: Main Stem

Boundless talent

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 10/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's ironic that Oliver's awesome skills as a soloist were overlooked during his lifetime because of his more prominent role as a composer-arranger and that now he's largely passed over altogether. Make no mistake about it--Oliver possessed total command of the instrument, alto or tenor, along with a "composer's" approach to improvisation. Pick up any of these small group sessions, including the "battle" with King Curtis and Jimmy Forrest, and simply marvel at the way Oliver structures his solos, using tension and release in a deliberate, climactic way. On this album, Joe Newman's trumpet provides pleasant, needed "relief" to Oliver's adventurous, bold and effective excursions. Given the fullness of his sound, the definitiveness of his melodic/harmonic ideas, and the structured wholeness of his solos, I'm tempted to call Oliver the Wagner-R. Strauss of the instrument. At the very least, he's one of the truly inimitable, exciting solo voices in jazz of the past 50 years."

Oliver Nelson - Joe Newman CD Main Stem

Christopher L. Lehman | NYC | 04/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must, must must have CD for any Jazz Player or enthusiast. The recording of the title track, Main Stem is priceless. For any Trumpeter, Saxaphonist or Jazz Improvisor, buy this CD and Transcribe Nelson's and Newman's solos. You will learn so much from these solos. Their mastery of this up-tempo blues is extra-ordinary. I listened to this recording 100 times or more. I transcribed the solo's 8 years ago. I can listen to this song 100 more times. It is that good. For any intermediate player who wants a short-cut to mastering the blues solo, Main Stem is it."

Very enjoyable

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 09/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the last small-group session Nelson did for Prestige (August 1961); his next and last album for the label was AFRO-AMERICAN SKETCHES, a big band outing. Nelson is joined by Joe Newman on trumpet, a major addition to any recording date, and two-thirds of a new rhythm section: Hank Jones replaces Richard Wyands on piano and Charlie Persip takes over from Roy Haynes on drums. The music really swings on this CD; only one of the six tunes is taken slow. Everyone is in a very relaxed mode, and the music is as pleasing and pleasurable as a summer's drive with the top down. J&B and TANGERINE falter a bit, but all in all the quality of the music on this CD is high."