Search - David Murray :: Deep River

Wide ranging Murray recording

brian1lindsay | Nepean, Ontario Canada | 08/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one of Murray's most varied sets, with an exceptional quartet. Melodic tracks, more avant stuff, plus a Coltrane cover. Playing is great. One of his best."

One of DIW's label finest works

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 06/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"48 years old David Murray is one of the lead voices of today's jazz.This extraordinary tenor saxophonist (who also plays bass clarinet,like Eric Dolphy and Harry Carney),was mainly influenced by Albert Ayler.I saw him twice this year on stage,and was amazed each time.
His works for the japanese DIW label are among his best ones.The most essential ones are "Lovers","Ballads","Spirituals" and "Tokyo sketches",recorded on John Hicks' name,and "death of a sideman".To me,"Deep river" comes after these ones.But it's so close to them,that it deserves 5 stars.Playing with the immense Dave Burrell on piano,Fred Hopkins on bass and Ralph Peterson Jr on drums,and recorded 1988,Dave gives a terrific version of Coltrane's "Mr P.C."(dedicated to the great bass player,Paul Chambers";he plays three beautiful compositions of his own,"Dakar dance","Home" and "Mbizo";he explores the blues in a Charlie Parker-like manner through "Jazz is back",a Butch Morris tune;and he gives us a great bass clarinet work on the traditionnal "Deep river",using the re-recording technique.I think that this tune ,recorded in January,1988,should have been included in "Spirituals",which was also recorded at the same time.After a long, free introduction,Murray plays the theme as a hymn;the two last minutes of this tune may be the most essential ones of this record.Here is some haunting music.In fact,these two minutes of Ayler-like fanfare playing should urge you to purchase this record.
As always on DIW,the cover picture is superb;the most extraordinary they ever did surely is Murray's "spirituals" cover.And of course,as always on DIW,here is great living music;not a boring one,not a good one;not a politically correct one,either; just a necesserary,essential music.A kind of music which will disturb a lot of people,but which will give so much pleasure to the other ones.Here is one of the major artists on the actual scene."