Search - James Moody :: Feelin' It Together

Feelin' It!

Michael St John | St. Paul, MN | 11/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a terrific, creative set of music by musicians who came out of the bebop tradition (Moody & Kenny Barron were in the Gillespie band together) but were interested in exploring ways to push the envelope a little. The set begins with their roots, a furious rendering of the Gillespie/Parker "Anthropology," taken at such a frantic tempo, it's a wonder that Barron's fingers didn't break. You sometimes hear Dizzy tear it up like that, particularly when he was young--but veteran players burnin' that hot on a bebop tune, in 1973? No! Oh, but yes. These guys were truly feelin' it.After scorching "Anthropology" to the ground, Moody cools down by taking up his flute on Barron's ballad, "Dreams"; and, following that, he returns to his tenor for a long, lovely meditation on the standard "Autumn Leaves."Gary Giddins says in the original liner notes that Jobim's "Wave" has never sounded so marvelous as here. I don't know about that, but it is an evocative arrangement of flute & electric piano with creative rhythmic ideas, which sounds faithful to Jobim without sounding like just anyone's Jobim. Maybe it's just that I particularly like Jobim's music, but this is probably my favorite track on the album."Morning Glory" is another Kenny Barron ballad, with Moody on alto this time. Finally, the album returns to more roots: a blues by Red Holloway & Art Hillery. It's sort of an eccentric blues, though, that sounds a lot like Monk, with odd touches of harpsichord and arco bass. But it all stays grounded by Moody's meaty solo and Barron's groovin' turn on electric piano. A charming end to a very satisfying album."

A true Gem

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Moody&crew are in solid form on this disc.i got this one about a year back and was very impressed.waves is a great cut.everything works well on this set."