Search - Cleveland Watkiss :: Green Chimneys

His heart on the right peg

Peppino | 11/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Since this recording, Cleveland Watkiss has turned away from , as called, "Straight ahead jazz" to a more personal musical vision.

At the time this recording , recording companies were trying to push "young lion" jazz musicians from the UK to a USA audience, as well as magazines as 'Straight no Chaser'promoting the local UK scene. Unfortunate, many of these young musicians, while good intentioned, were not improvisors of what I might call international caliber. They might be good local hometown lads, but as the cliché say, "not ready for prime time".



At this stage, Senhor Watkiss was content to do a Bobby Mc Ferrin impersonation, and the backing musicians were as , say in futebol(soccer?) terms, "second Division". THIS NOT SAYING A BAD THING, where the CD admirable, on the entusiasm, and CHOICE of material. This Londoner has the INCERDIBLE good taste to select an obscure Wayne Shoerter composition from "pre-Blue Note", pre - Weather Report Days, "Seeds of Sin", an equal obscure Monk "Green Chimneys". Original compositions as "Sea and Sky" evoke 70s USA "spiritual jazz" (a new , and accurate coined term from this new millenium!). "Incandescent Dreams" a thoughtfl ballade! Only the tepid solo offerings, and relative mediocrity in Mr Watkiss' scat -sing, his voice truely lovely. Try "Victory's Happy Songbook" CD for more realised Cleveland Watkiss, but, for the CHEAP price (as of 07, Nov, 2006), I advise to pick this one also! Best of luck to Cleveland Watkiss, and hopes he keeps on the shining path of inspiration! 3 1/2 stars, really.."

OOP- Too Bad!!!

Peppino | 03/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent cd I love every track too bad that this is OOP Highly Recommend!!!"