Search - Terence Blanchard :: Tale of God's Will

Could Katrina be given a more fitting requiem?

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 09/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I sincerely doubt it. I also don't think there's much of substance that I can add to what previous reviewers have said about this CD. I've known of trumpeter Blanchard for some time now and have been aware of his well-established working partnership with filmmaker Spike Lee but it wasn't until I heard his score for Inside Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), that I actually began to sit up and take notice. Then the Lee documentary When the Levees Broke came out and I remember wishing when I reviewed the DVD that the music from the documentary would be released on CD. Blanchard's work on it is truly amazing.



Well, we haven't got that exactly but we've got the next best thing and probably the nearest thing to it we'll ever get. I'm on vacation in northern California at the moment so I can't be 100% certain but I think three or four of the songs here are from the documentary (or revised and/or expanded versions of them) and all the others are definitely inspired by it. In the inner-sleeve notes, Blanchard walks us through various scenes in the documentary and explains how these inspired the various pieces of music. Others are inspired by the effect the disaster has had on Blanchard's own life, the lives of the people he loves and indeed, the life of his home city.



It's an incredible set. He's joined by Brice Winston, particularly impressive on tenor & soprano saxophones, Aaron Parks (who is also tremendously impressive here) on piano, Derrick Hodge on acoustic and electric basses, Kendrick Scott on drums & percussion and Zach Harmon on tabla & the happy apple - whatever THAT is. Kudos to the band as a whole though; they are as talented, tight and expressive as ever. But there's even more: they are joined by The Northwest Sinfonia, conducted by Blanchard; contractor and concertmaster, Simon James.



The New Orleans tragedy is still ongoing by all accounts and this must be incredibly painful for the people who live in the city and love it as much as Blanchard obviously does. The emotions he freely shares with the listener, I find mournful, plaintive and yet hopeful (though that last one might just be me projecting). Listening to this CD is a strange experience but not an unpleasant one by any means, though I was moved to tears more than once. I've been to The Big Easy twice myself and have fond memories of the place but I haven't been back since Katrina. A debate is ongoing in my head on that subject.



But back to the music. This is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding CDs I've bought this month and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Jazz trumpet and strings - what's not to like? If you're already a fan of Blanchard's music of course this one's a no-brainer. But if you like the string-backed stuff by people like Chris Botti or Roy Hargove, while they're cool and all, this one's on a completely different level. The references to Miles Davis aren't misplaced either in my view. I truly believe this is the kind of music Miles would be making today, if he was still with us. Try putting this one on in the dead of night while the city around you sleeps. It will take you places, I guarantee it. The seventy-two and a half minutes or so will have flown by before you've realised it. This is one of those instances where I feel that five stars just aren't enough."

A Beautiful Score and Jazz Composition

Birdman | Minnetonka, MN USA | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who did not see Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, the experience of listening to this emotional music conjures up images of loss and perseverance after Katrina.



Blanchard has roots in Miles Davis's long, lonely notes, his drawn-out cadence. He also draws on the indigenous music of Louisiana -- in particular, New Orleans funeral music -- in his quiet pieces. This is night music of the highest order, enhanced by an amazing quintet and a jazz orchestra that plays with distinction. I can't single out this cut or that because the work hangs together as a whole



If you relished Miles Davis in the 1950's and '60's, this release will fit you like a glove -- all 72 minutes of it. The whole set is a bit like 'Round Midnight, but with much more exploration and more ties to time and place.



There is currently no parallel to this work in jazz. A beautiful, thoughtful album by one of the leading jazz musicians of this generation."

What a beautiful, haunting love letter

A. Davila | Washington, DC | 08/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Terence Blanchard is no stranger to penning good music, but in every note, chord and lick of the snare, I could feel his love for New Orleans on this musical masterpiece. Thank you for the opportunity to share in your 'Requiem' Mr. Blanchard. It was an experience just to hear it through my iPod. I await the day you pass through the DC/Baltimore area so I can experience this wonderful music live."