Surprising Sextet rocks Beanbenders!
12/17/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If your reading this review, you either live in Portland, or you are a professional critic. The reason I know this is that not that many people have heard of Rich Halley and the Lizard Brothers. I know about this hometown legend because I live in Portland. Everytime he plays I try and go to see his groups. This album came from one of his rare westcoast tours, but it showcases the bands' talents wonderfully. William Thomas burns on the percussion while the rest of Halleys group shows their stuff with wildly creative solos. This album emphasizes momentum as well as the individuality of the players, making for a very unique experience. A stimulating listen, I find this album an accurate representation of this performance artist.The bottom line is: If your into newer jazz that still emphasizes emotion over complicated scales and time signatures, then you can't go wrong with this album."
Live locally, play globally
greg taylor | Portland, Oregon United States | 05/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I only write reviews of musicians that I really admire. Therefore, the ratings I give people are always high. Why would I listen to people I don't like just to tell y'all why you shouldn't like them? The one problem with only writing about artists you admire is that sometimes I really want people to sit up and pay attention when I talk about someone. About someone who hasn't attracted the attention they deserve for whatever reason.
In Rich Halley's case, I suspect it is because of his love for home. Rich has lived in Oregon all his life. His music is a reflection of the love he has for the area and its landscapes. I suspect that the idea of living in someplace like New York or Chicago never really appealed to him. He has chosen to stay here and play here.
Praise be to God for that. The music of Rich Halley has always been a part of my life. Early on, it was the Multnomah Rhythm Ensemble, later Freebop, then the Lizard Brothers or his trio.
However, this music has more than a local story to tell. If you read my reviews or my lists, you know that I believe that jazz has truely become a world music that has no national, let alone city limits.
I will speak plainly. This sextet is the equal of any. The front line is Rich Halley on tenor sax and percussion, Troy Grugett on alto and bari sax and percussion, Michael Vlatkovitch on trombone and Rob Blakeslee on trumpet and cornet. Paul Sparks is on bass while William Thomas is on the drum kit.
Rich's tone can run the gamut. He is able to do that enpassioned, spiritual, gruff, fat tenor thing. He plays in the post bop to free stylistic range but always plays to the audience as well as for himself.
My martial arts teacher always talked about the responibility of the individual to raise the level of whatever group they were part of. The idea is not just to seek your own improvement but to seek your own improvement via the improvement of others.
These guys play with that ethic in mind. They play to rock the house. Seeing live (like this recording) is the way to go.
Rich's music has traces of Jim Pepper, of Mingus, of Africa and Ornette. His writing for the sextet is allows an enormous sound to emerge. Rob Blakeslee can caress a melody, Grugett has a huge sound and Vlatkovich is a tonal master of his horn.
Like I said, I only write about what I love. This music has been a part of all the events of my life. I am the better for it.
Take a chance on someone you don't know about. Learn not just about Rich but his associates. This CD is the tip of an iceberg of great music that these guys and their co-conspirators are making.
Oh, and by the way, check out Rich Halley's website for info on his other recordings, especially The Umatilla Variations."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1