Search - Steve Swallow :: Carla

Contemporary Jazz Masterpiece

Steve Conley | Chicago, IL USA | 11/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful documentation of the band Steve Swallow was working with in the mid-eighties. Recorded simultaneously to the tracking of Carla Bley's "Sextet", this is Steve's homage to Carla's musical persona. Listen for soaring Bley keyboard solos over Swallow's beautiful compositions such as "Afterglow", "Deep Trouble" and "Last Night". Swallow and Bley had a world-class rhythm section consisting of pianist Larry Willis, percussionist Don Alias, drummer Victor Lewis and NYC guitar phenom Hiram Bullock. Swallow has long been revered as a both a masterful composer and bassist in jazz circles, but this is a gem that will be enjoyed by novices and connoisseurs alike. Buy it now!!!"

Complex Easy Listening

Steve Conley | 12/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both this album and SWALLOW are rythmically and melodically intoxicating but deceptively complex. Why such complicated but "easy listening" real jazz doesn't get air play is beyond me. This mellow jazz would appeal to simple tastes yet challenge the most sophisticated jazz listener with music full of suprise and delight. I hope we'll hear more like this from them."