Metal Reviews

Willie continues his 90's renaissance with this sparely arranged beauty of record. Recorded with just three other players, including his sister Bobbie, Spirit finds Nelson in a mostly blue mood filling the space with songs of a man reflecting back on his life with grief, longing and acceptance. But, as in life, there are moments of affirmation between the chords of melancholy, such as the defiant compassion of Nelson original We Don't Run. Rounded out by a fine collection of Django Reinhardt-esque instrumentals, Spirit is a wonderfully bittersweet record in the way that great country records can be. When you've got a case of the blues, it hits the spot just right.

Yes, the cover is generic, and if a listener is unfamiliar with the typical styling of Blues/Jazz covers, they would be taken aback, by the representation. And I was, too, and I have been listening to it for many years now. Nevertheless, I had read great reviews of the recording, and I was hesitant of acquiring, because the price was outrageous, but my curiosity took precedence. The music found on here is perhaps not as mesmerizing, as the canonical repetoire of Mr. Green, but Elvin Jones' drum-work, and Larry Young's organ work are excellent, by themselves. But perhaps I could have done better, with more playful guitar lines, and a lot more, with the interacting of the guitar lines, and the organ, in conversation, with each other. Elvin Jones is capable of much, but here, he is simply giving some gentle paste to the music, only infusing, rather than involved. The disparate instruments (organ and guitar) working mostly, in solo, but sometimes together, which are rather unadorned. The guitar work, and organ, humble each other, whereas, they should elevate each other. Humility does go over very well in jazz music, where loudness and extravagant outbursts, speak with the most impassionate dictates.

Joshua, thank you for the last two very rich descriptions and for keeping this thread alive. Husker, you, too, buddy.

The arising of the full moon, the foregone sun, the glowing stars to set ablaze the illusory fire of the night sky, the sand, ice cold.

Quite a few discs from this solo guitar work of a large collection, from one of the primary maestros of the early 20th century, in Spanish music.

From high calamity to monastic serenity.

Kenny Burrell's discography is vast and I have only discovered a few of his efforts, in respect to all of the rest. But Burrell, is a highly diverse guitarist, with some fineness in his oeuvre, and other assortments of a lesser, and of a greater quality.

A work of fantastic blues textures, jazz sensibilities, and swinging joyfulness.

Green's abilities are certainly not institutional and his soul is not of this hellish world.

A rarity.

Scofield and the field of affects.

On my Mount Rushmore of hip hop records.