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Sacred Ground
David Murray
Sacred Ground
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (7) - Disc #1

"Sacred Ground" is a fascinating and important new recording that grew from David Murray's involvement in the acclaimed documentary film, Banished, directed by Marco Williams. Although it's virtually unknown, more than ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: David Murray
Title: Sacred Ground
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Justin Time Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 6/26/2007
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 068944020423

Synopsis

Album Description
"Sacred Ground" is a fascinating and important new recording that grew from David Murray's involvement in the acclaimed documentary film, Banished, directed by Marco Williams. Although it's virtually unknown, more than a dozen counties in the U.S. violently expelled thousands of families between the Civil War and the Great Depression. The film - and this recording - explores not only these historical facts, but also the legacy of these events in the communities and for the descendants of the families. After exploring the themes of the film he'd been asked to score, Murray was inspired - indeed compelled - to dig deeper, and to compose further music. David Murray enlisted poet Ishmael Reed, one of today's pre-eminent African- American literary figures. Reed wrote two poems, performed here by the great Cassandra Wilson. David chose to record this using his Black Saint Quartet - sometimes called Power Quartet, on the group's first outing since the passing of the great John Hicks last year. Logically then, David enlisted pianist Lafayette Gilchrist, informally a Hicks student and admirer, and on drums the great Andrew Cyrille. Bassist Ray Drummond completes this first class group.

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CD Reviews

A Major Statement Of The Human Condition.
Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 08/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"(from an extended feature, copyright 2007 Michael F. Hopkins)



Rich in balladry that's strong, serenading, and significant in

the scope of its call, SACRED GROUND is David Murray at his finest.

Deadly and robust as ever in his swing and spirited shout, the

legendary tenor saxophonist brings a particularly haunting shimmer

to the vibrant presentations which fill this latest album from

Montreal's Justin Time Records.

With a quartet featuring Murray alongside drummer Andrew Cyrille,

bassist Ray Drummond, and pianist Lafayette Gilchrist, the superb

dynamics strike deep into the heart and soul. Cyrille is ever the

artful juggler of tempo-tossed thunder which sings and steps

the lightning into sensuous being.

Drummond weaves sheer harmonic tapestries which thread the

rhapsodies with tensile wonder. Gilchrist, taking inspiration from the

sterling chromatics of the astonishing

John Hicks, sets the measure of his

own thematic effervescence here, with performances which playfully

linger long after the day is done. The dare and intimacy of this

quartet's presentation stirs insight which intrigues and compels

all who encounter the tales this Music has to tell.



Two selections, the title theme and the finale ("The Prophet Of

Doom"), feature telling lyrics by master satirist Ishmael Reed,

honed to their most tantalizing poetics by acclaimed singer

Cassandra Wilson. Reed also supplies the CD's exceptional liner

notes, telling the absorbing tale of how the Music and this album

came to be.

Originally written as the soundtrack for the monumental documentary

BANISHED (go to , and gain

sobering wisdom),

Murray's compositions tell a sweeping tale of people in

struggle which cannot be denied. Listen to the twilight wail of

Murray's bass clarinet paying tribute and serving notice on

"Banished", drawing unstoppable tone portraits of sorrow and

tears, blood and trial, lament and resilience.

This entire album is alive with a determined compassion and nimble

wisdom indicative of the greatest Music ever made, and is especially

representative of the Music we know as Jazz. Hanker down to the

down-home surry of "Family Reunion", step into the sauntering tango

of "Believe In Love", and stroll into song which strikes a prevailing

Joy into all who hear.



Travel the paths made by David Murray and all he represents, and know

the full spectrum of human feeling. Know the precious bounty of

walking SACRED GROUND.



Start here.

"
Very good, mostly serious, jazz
Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 08/31/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"David Murray and lyricist Ishmael Reid made this CD inspired by 'Banished', which is about African-Americans who were kicked out of their homes. So, it's serious stuff. Cassandra Wilson sings on the first and last songs, and Murray's quartet with Lafayette Gilchrist, Ray Drummond, and Andrew Cyrille play throughout. Much of the music, as you might expect, is blues-based and timeless. It doesn't say modern nor throwback, which is what you'd expect from someone whose free jazz albums continue the jazz tradition. "Transitions" and "Family Reunion" are upbeat and positive-sounding. The playing is strong throughout - David Murray is one of the contemporary greats. Cassandra Wilson's vocals are also very good. The lyrics on the opener are more serious, and the lyrics on the closer are a little more playful. The liner notes say Reid played with the meaning of "Cassandra".



This is recommended for Murray fans, or any fans of jazz, really."