Search - Will Calhoun :: Live at the Blue Note

"A TRUE HIDDEN GEM"

Richard Roche | Irvine, Ca United States | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I was engaged in my all-time "FAVORITE PASTIME" (in a record store leisurely going through the CD bin in the jazz section), I noticed a CD entitled "WILL CALHOUN QUINTET - LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE". I suppose like many of my old jazz "contemporaries" (I turned 60 in April), I had absolutely no clue as to whom Will Calhoun was; however, I noticed that two of my favorite players were on this gig. Bobby Watson (saxes) and Terell Stafford (trumpet) have long been favorites of mine going back to the days of Bobby's seminal group "Horizon". I figured that a live CD with those two, plus Orrin Evans (piano) and John Benitez (bass), had to have some good "sounds" on it. Thus, I took a chance and purchased it, and I have not been able to put it down since. (I either listen to it at home or take it with me to listen to it in the car. Maybe I should buy another?) There are five key concepts that stand out after listening to this CD. First, the music is great. This is truly straight-ahead "Hard-Bop" jazz with contemporary Afro-Latin rhythms. (I won't use the term "World Music" because that term makes no sense to me. With all its influences, "JAZZ IS WORLD MUSIC.") McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and Calhoun's "Dorita" are tour-de-force songs. Everyone cooks on this session, and the togetherness is surprisingly tight for what seems to be a one-night stand. Secondly, Will Calhoun is a "Good" jazz drummer. His play, especially on "Passion Dance" where he sounds very much like Jack DeJohnette, is very complementary to the rest of the players. True, there are two "short" obligatory drum features to, I'm sure, satisfy his fans, but this young man has the potential to be an outstanding jazz drummer. The third concept, and I feel the most important reason to buy this CD, is that Bobby Watson plays "tenor sax" on "Passion Dance". It is always wonderful to hear the similarities and differences in musical concepts when you hear a sax player playing a different sax, after having associated him for years with "the other" horn. (I've always wanted to hear what my all-time favorite alto player, Jackie McLean, would sound like playing tenor. I'm still waiting Jackie!) Fourthly, Bobby Watson's solo (on alto) on "Africa's Afternoon" is worth the price of the CD alone. It makes you feel like you're in a prayer meeting at the Eastside Baptist Church in New York City. And finally, Terell Stafford's play continues to re-enforce my belief that he is the best jazz trumpet player around today. (Check out his muted solo on "Dorita" and his solo on Wayne Shorter's "Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum".) Get this CD. If you're a younger Will Calhoun fan from his Living Colour days, I will make you a deal. You buy this CD to familiarize yourself with what jazz is all about, and I promise to buy a Living Colour CD (at least I will listen to one) so I can become more "contemporary". Either way, I'm sure that like me, you will find this CD is "A TRUE HIDDEN GEM". ENJOY!"

WORLDLY MELODIES &TASTY DRUMMING

jussi.turunen@pp1.inet.fi | HELSINKI, FINLAND | 06/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"after so many projects with Doug Wimbish on his side (from the living colour days), Will is here in a quite different place with some NYC-scene jazzasses Ive never heard of. Its not all just jazz here,more like world music." The dawn... "is my fave with really tasty wavedrummin and some dangerous pianolicks ,the bassline is thrilling too.Wills own songs like "africa`s.." and "the hymn.." are really impressing. Hes got taste for original organic melodies."