Open Your Ears
Mark Levine | Jersey City, NJ USA | 07/25/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"How can a self-described music fan dismiss ANY attempt at serious music? I have recently discovered this group and, upon a little investigation, was able to learn about their origins, their music, and their discography. I have only heard SOME, and that from a friend's self-made CD(and not this particular album in whole) but I want more, more, more. They're terrific!
From what I have listened to, belongs on the shelves next to David Murray or the Arts Ensemble of Chicago. Its wit reminds me of the often-sidesplitting output of Willem Breuker, and the musicianship is first-rate."
Great Compositions, but dark
Paul Robertz | Chicago, IL | 05/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I can't ignore the 2000 reviewer of this CD. Yes, this band sounds (and looked) dark, with bass, tuba, trombone, and cello making up half of the bold souls. Using Ornette Coleman's famous dirge "Lonely Woman" as the only standard doesn't brighten things up, either.
However, this is not a CD to pass by. Edward Wilkerson, former chairman of the Chicago-based Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (AACM) is a first rate composer, arranger, and tenor saxophonist. I should know, having sold him two huge printers for his orchestral scores, and having heard him dozens of times at Chicago's Velvet KLounge or with his "Shadow Vignettes" Orchestra. Eight Bold Souls is his favorite venue for his compositions. His musicians have a loyalty to the group not seen since some of the core musicians of Duke Ellington's band or Sun Ra's Arkestra. (Tuba player Aaron Dodd, who played with the Pharoahs and Donny Hathaway is now fighting to leave a nursing home for mental patients).
This may not be easy listening music, but is well worth checking out. This is almost as good as the same group's "Ant Farm"."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1