Shaw Nuff Jazz
jazzluva | West Salem, Illinois United States | 03/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard a Steve Wilkerson recording in the early 1980's Called "Powerhouse One." This old Skyline LP and a few that followed, was to me sort of a reward for a life spent listening to jazz music.
It seems when persons reviewing jazz recordings always compare the musician under scrutiny to an earlier generation. Frankie Trumbauer spawned Lester Young. So it follows that Getz was a disciple of Young and so it goes. It's almost as though the musicians being reviewed were slaves to past and not responsible for the way they sound. Wilkerson is an overwhelming instrumentalist. Not just on Bari-sax but also on alto, tenor, clarinet and flute. So where does this ability come from? It sounds to me as if it comes from God , years of "wood shedding" and dedication to jazz. No one gains the all round respect on so many instruments easily. I know these instruments are of the same family and more natural than say, clarinet and trumpet. The difference is Wilkerson performs on each as though it were his primary horn and not a "double."
In this album "Shaw Nuff" Steve has produced an overwhelming ride on baritone sax through 9 jazz classics. The charts are as you would expect from an artist such as this and are performed by a small band about the size of the Marty Paich groups. He handles the baritone like it was a toy. He has the technique to play solo's on anything he can hear in his head. Talk about style! Of course you may hear a little Mulligan but only because you've heard more Mulligan than Wilkerson. And how many sax players chose the Baritone as a featured instrument. Compared to the other saxes, not many. The tune selection on the CD is good, The charts, mostly by Sandy Megas, are well performed by the band, The recording quality is outstanding. My favorite tracks are "If You Could See Me Now" and "Shaw Nuff." All the soloists are on target. This album demands repeated listening to savor each tasty morsel. Five Stars!!!"
This 'aint your daddy's bari sax....
Leanne | Pomona, CA | 12/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wilkerson gives the baritone sax the same smooth voice one would expect from a masterfully played tenor. Combine this with his blistering technique and endless flow of ideas, and you have a recording worthy of one of the finest reedmen around. The Shaw 'Nuff ensemble breathes fire into Sandy Megas's arrangements of these jazz favorites. A must-have for any fan of the "big pipe.""
A complete master of the saxophone!
Leanne | 11/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Cd is a complete surprise and joy! No one in the world has these kind of chops on bari sax! The arrangements are killer and Wilkerson's improvisational skills are second to none- like Charlie Parker- only on baritone sax! Wonderful!"