Search - Sonny Criss :: Criss Craft

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Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 10/20/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 1998 Jazz 32 release is the second packaging of this session, released originally in 1975 and most recently in 2003 on the Savoy label. My copy of the Savoy edition does not include the bonus tracks ("All the Things You Are" and an alternate take of "Blues in My Heart"). You'll notice that Amazon's tune listing makes no reference to the inclusion of those tracks on the present CD, though my hunch is that you'll find them here.

As for the "guaranteed" tunes, the extended "Isle of Celia" as well as "This Is for Benny" bear traces of the limited, repetitious harmonies jazz musicians felt compelled to play throughout much of the 1970's. The uptempo, bebop-ish groove on the blues, "Crisscraft," comes as a welcome change of pace. Tune choices aside, the taste and musicianship of all members on this session are of a high order. Sonny was one of those proficient, fluent, communicative players about whom it's possible to have certain reservations. His sound has the penetrating quality and tightly-spun vibrato of many "new age" players, and his lines, while lyrical and logically connected, iron out many of the complexities characteristic of Bird-influenced soloists. But his is an individual, engaging voice that deserves to be heard and remembered. For this purpose, the "Complete Imperial Sessions" are probably a better bet."