Search - Joe Zawinul & Zawinul Syndicate :: Vienna Nights

Still Smokin' at 73

Brian Whistler | Forestville, CA United States | 10/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Zawinul ever since I walked into the Whiskey a GoGo in 1972 and was knocked out by Weather Report for the first time. In the next 30 odd years Zawinul strived to create a world-jazz hybrid that would break down cultural differences, while preserving the distinct flavors of the individual cultures he is indebted to. This current incarnation of the Syndicate may very well be the most refined distillation yet of that ideal.



The new album actually has two different bands recorded at Zawinul's Birdland on separate dates, although bass player Linley Marthe and singer Sabine Kabongo appear in both settings. The material is mostly culled from Zawinul's last few releases. However, there are a few surprises as well.



One such surprise is the addition of the very talented drummer Karim Ziad. A morrocan born percussionist who was a collaborator with Nguyen Le on the the ground breaking world-jazz cd, 'Maghreb and Friends' (among others,)Ziad is a remarkable composer as well as drummer. His two offerings are standouts.(Check out the definitive version of 'Louange' on Magrehb-it's awesome!)He also possesses a killer singing voice.



In fact, the thing that makes this incarnation of the Syndicate stand out is the addition of all those voices. With this lineup, the group can easily take the listener on a travelogue that includes stops in north Africa,the Middle East, Spain, India and the Balkans. Not to mention Europe and the USA.



Sabine Kabongo alone can span continents with her unique vocal stylings. The album kicks off with a great version of Salif Keita's infectious afro-pop tune, 'Y'elena' (off of the Zawinul produced disc, "Amen"-a worthy addition any Zawinul collection.) Special mention must be made of her standout interpretation of "Duke Ellington's Come Sunday".



The addition of all these voices takes much of the vocal duties away from Zawinul, which, in this listener's opinion, is a good thing. He's still up to his old vocoder tricks here, but they're less prevalent than before, being more integrated into the vocal mix.



The other surprise is the re-visiting of two Weather Report tunes, Boogie Woogie Waltz and Badia. I feel that serving up Badia at a breakneck tempo did not do the tune justice, which had a more ambient and mysterious quality at it's original tempo. Boogie Woogie Waltz is very abbreviated here, and is more a nod to the tune than a full exploration.



While forging a universal music has always been the underlying principle in Zawinul's music, the addition of an imternational ensemble who can sing in their native tongue lends the material an authenticity never before achievable. Never before has Zawinul been able to realize his grand dream of making a universal music more onvincingly, a music that brings people of all cultures together, each singing together in their own unique voice."

An honest Masterpiece...

basic bob... | Californis desert... | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Joe Zawinul at his all-time greatest and with an all-time greatest Live album! Mr Zawinul, "the man", still a real "unsung hero" in the world of music and American music more specifically! I feel ashamed and sickened when I see who and what the music industry in the United States does honor and celebrate so lavishly! Joe Zawinul deserves some Honors from the American music industry and it's People!!! In every way, Joe Zawinul is one of the last, if not The last, True music creator/pioneer/genius of contemporary Jazz remaining! Mr Zawinul teaches us all how to go way beyond our typical musical boundaries with finess and Cool! He's a real Master Teacher! His works/contributions to jazz have lead the way for throngs of other musicians from other musical backgrounds, world-wide, always setting the standard in jazz/fusion/cool music. I'm assuming everyone knows Zawinul wrote the biggest hits of "the times" for CannonBall and Miles, etc?!?!! This album is beautiful, hot, and covers the gambit of musical emotion! It's a Zawinul masterpiece! I can't wait to see Joe next year, as i have for the past 3 years, when he comes back through Los Angeles in 2006, the good Lord willing!!! :)"

.....Another great work from Zawinul Syndicate.....

michalis michael | nicosia, Cyprus | 08/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the last 7 years I've been a huge fan of Joe Zawinul and especially of Zawinul Syndicate. Seeing his work live in 3 occasions it was the three best concerts I've ever seen.



In general I don't like purchasing albums of live performances because usually they lack in sound quality and being a musician myself, i can spot minor details which would be corrected in a studio where a tune would be played as many times as required in order to be perfected.



But in this case......having heard FACES AND PLACES more than a thousand times....it is really a joy to listen to how, many of the original tunes, have progressed through the performances of the past 3 years. You can feel all the energy of a great band and the best you can do is close your eyes and imagine that you were there. Sound quality is great.



Definitely 5 stars and I recommend as a "must have" album for all Zawinul fans.

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