New and Old Gospel (CD)
Jackie McLean
Amoeba Review
John Schacht 08/13/2010
This 1967 Jackie McLean date is a brilliant example of late 60s adventurous jazz, but drew more attention for the fact that modern jazz innovator Ornette Coleman was playing not just a rare role as sideman, but performing on trumpet rather than alto saxophone. That’s too bad, since the album – comprised of just three tracks, including the 21-minute four-part suite, “Lifeline,” – is a stunning example of how blues underlies even the most experimental investigations. In fact, if there’s a patron saint of this date it’s Charles Mingus, whose ensemble variations on blues form the swinging backdrop for this band, which, in addition to McLean on alto and Coleman, included Lamont Johnson on piano, Scotty Holt on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. McLean authored the long piece, and its shifting tides never stray far from the blues and swing hard throughout the opening segment “Offspring.” The second section, “Midway,” is more impressionistic, Johnson’s piano fills recalling Herbie Hancock’s work on Empyrean Isles while the horns and rhythm section improvise different shades. The swing returns with the next section, “Vernzone,” reaching a delirium before “The Inevitable End” breaks down like a balloon losing air, McLean, Coleman and Johnson attacking with different tones and tempos. Coleman’s “Old Gospel” has a rousing church theme at its core, mostly provided by Johnson’s gospel-flavored fills, but the soloists venture far afield. It’s in this more structured piece that the inexperience of Coleman – who’d only recently begun playing trumpet – becomes apparent, particularly in his solo. But the piece ends on such a rousing gospel high that it’s quickly forgotten. The final track is also by Coleman, and “Strange As It Seems,” reads initially like a ballad turned inside out. McLean states the melody while Coleman seems intent to break it apart through scatter-shot muted blats and bleats all the way through to its wistful conclusion. As an example of how late-60s advanced jazz didn’t have to abandon its blues roots, you can’t do better than this session.
Track Listing
Disc 1 Titles |
Artist |
Length |
---|---|---|
1.
Lifeline Medley: Offering/Midway/Vernzone/The Inevitable End
|
Jackie McLean | 21:37 |
2.
Old Gospel
|
Jackie McLean | 10:41 |
3.
Strange as It Seems
|
Jackie McLean | 09:08 |