Search - John Hicks :: Naima's Love Song

A very fine outing indeed

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 04/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a companion disc to Love Remains, one of the greatest jazz discs ever recorded. Both have Bobby Watson (alto sax), John Hicks (piano), and Curtis Lundy (bass). Love Remains, recorded in November of 1986, has Marvin "Smitty" Smith in the drums chair; Naima's Love Song, recorded in April of 1988, has Victor Lewis. Both are great drummers, so there's little to choose between them. And these are both great, great jazz discs. What makes Love Remains just edge out Naima's Love Song--and this is probably purely a matter of personal taste--is that the former exudes a profoundly intertwined sadness and joy that the latter lacks. The general mood of Naima's Love Song is exuberance, certainly an emotional state perfectly in accord with jazz esthetics. And it is one of the more exuberant, ebullient jazz discs ever recorded. So it all just comes down to which you like better. I guess for me, it's just harder to pull off wistful joy, and when it is pulled off, it's something very special. Don Pullen, the late lamented pianist could do that, as could Joe Henderson--also sorely missed--and Tom Harrell (thankfully still around).Both discs feature Bobby Watson, my overall favorite altoist, at the height of his powers. And I don't think John Hicks has ever sounded better than on these two discs. What are you waiting for? Grab both of these fine discs while they're still easily available."