Search - Dave Douglas :: A Single Sky

Dave Douglas - Big Band

Scott Williams | Oakland, CA United States | 01/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Overview:



This is Dave Douglas' first foray into Big Band Jazz. This CD contains 3 songs (The Presidents, Campaign Trail, & Blockbuster) written by Douglas as part of a big band suite inspired by the 2008 election. The other 4 songs are Dave Douglas songs arranged by Jim McNeely for a big band. The music is performed by Douglas and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. The overall sound of the CD is big band post bop. While I really enjoyed the CD, I don't like it quite as much as the recent smaller group work that Dave's been performing.



Song Highlights:



A Single Sky - This track alone is worth the price of the CD. It opens with a cool swirling horn section, reminiscent of the opening of Miles Davis' arrangement of Airegin from Cookin. A few minutes into the song there is some trading fours with some quick blistering solos. Later in the song there is a nice solo section with two simultaneous solos, and there is also a section that features the drummer. A real nice modern swinging big band tune.



The Presidents - This is best of the new songs. The tune opens with a regal presidential sounding theme and switches back and forth between this and a darker Phrygian/Spanish sounding chord progression. A cool new tune.



The Persistence of Memory - I don't really remember the original version so well, but this version makes me want to go back and see what I missed. This is a great arrangement and mood piece. It almost has a bossa nova feel at times, but not quite.



This CD adds another shade of Dave to your collection.



"