Wynton Marsalis - Live at the Village Vanguard (56 tracks) +Album Reviews

Best value to come along in years

Tyler Smith | Denver, CO United States | 04/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They're a determined lot, but I'd challenge the Wynton Marsalis naysayers to find much of anything bad to say about the trumpeter after a fair listening to this boxed set. As others have pointed out, the set is priced for the common man, a huge plus in of itself. But real value comes only if the musicians deliver the goods. Wynton and company do -- in full measure.This set offers more than eight hours of live music. There's no opportunity to hide behind studio gimmicks, no chance to piece together the best takes from several days of sessions. And the audience is a demanding New York City crowd jammed into a jazz mecca. Not to worry. From the opening notes of "Cherokee," which kicks off Disc 1, we know that every guy in the band brought his 'A' game. There are high points galore in the set. But several spots jump out. Try, for example, the astonishing intensity of "Pedro's Getaway" on Disc 4. Try sitting still as you listen to Victor Goins on sax and Wynton tear through the changes, kicked along by Eric Reed's insistent piano. And don't miss Wynton's great use of the mute early in the piece.Disc 3's "Four in One," the great Monk composition is another masterpiece which gives Wynton a chance to show off his chops. Some of his detractors seem to think he indulges in technique for its own sake. Not true. "Four in One" is no shallow exhibition of runs. It's technique serving form and meaningful expression.Throughout the set there are tributes to the greats of jazz as well, including King Oliver, Buddy Bolden (Wynton presents his interpretation of what Bolden might have sounded like), Ellington, and of course, Monk, whose work is amply represented. Wynton was never shy about giving his bandmates plenty of space, so you'll also be treated to one of the best collection of young players to come up in the '90s, including Reed, Goins, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Todd Williams and Wessel Anderson on saxes, Marcus Roberts on piano, and the fine drummer Herlin Riley. Each takes his cue from the leader and layers huge dollops of swing into each disc. Reed is particularly satisfying throughout.This is life-affirming music. It's not afraid to be sad, wistful or bittersweet, but underneath it all, Wynton and friends are telling you that no matter how bad it gets, it's good to be alive and able to play and listen to jazz and the blues. Kudos to all involved in the release. It's an all-timer."

A marvelous live collection

Rob Watkins | Augusta, Georgia United States | 12/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this collection of live material from 1991 through 1994 is a great overview of mr. marsalis' septet. this is some of the purest jazz mr. marsalis has recorded, revealing not only his talent as a composer and musician, but also allowing us a glimpse of the talent he gathered in his band. wycliffe gordon (trombone), wessell anderson (alto sax), todd williams (tenor sax), eric reed (piano), marcus roberts (piano), reginald veal (bass), et al all shine throughout. lately, mr. marsalis has been experimenting and developing a music that melds together the rhythm and swing of jazz with the structure of classical, developing an idiom of jazz tone poem (albums "in this house," "citi movement," many of the releases in the "swinging into the 21st century" series). here, we hear many of those works, but in the much freer context of a jazz club performance. as you will hear on the seven intros, many of these pieces were recorded in the late, late hours a classic time frame for jazz. the band is warm and the music flows. particular highlights are "cherokee" (disc one), both performances of "stardust," "brother veal," the monk covers. the price alone makes this box set appealing. now for the gripes: a small one is the mythical arrangement into a seven night stand. i would like to hear each of the three versions of the septet recorded in their own sets, not cut and pasted together (a nitpicky complaint i know). second, i wish mr. marsalis would get a new writer of liner notes. pomposity knows no bounds! (again, a nitpicky complaint). otherwise, get the set and enjoy some of the best jazz of the year!"

Incredible Value

Steven Myers | Dayton, Ohio | 12/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw the low, low price, I was skeptical of what was being offered. But if it hadn't been for that low, low price, I might have missed out on an incredible listening experience. Seven discs worth of material is a lot for any listener to digest. But as soon as I started, it was like the proverbial novel that "I just couldn't put down'. Say what you want about Mr. Marsalis' views on what jazz is or shouldn't be (I haven't always agreed), he and his band deliver the live goods on every level; balancing disciplined technical virtuosity with depth of feeling and expression. Individually and collectively, this band cooks. What I like most about the program order of the "mythical" sets is the sheer variety of forms and styles. In addition to standard song forms, the material extends backwards to classic gospel and second-line feelings, and forwards to Wynton's long form compositions. The only minor complaint is the inclusion of introductions and set closers on every disc, which don't really add anything except filler, which is almost overkill given the quantity of the performance time. Hence the reduction of one star (really only half a star). In summary.....Buy this set!"

Wow - truly great music - I'm awed by this

Scott McFarland | Manassas, VA United States | 03/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't payed much attention to Wynton's career, I didn't like some of his public pronouncements and positions. But I took the moderate price of this as an onus to pick this up and give his music a chance. To see what he's been up to all this time I've been ignoring him.Wow! This set has grown and grown on me. I'm now a big fan of Wynton. Some of his compositions hereon ("The Majesty of the Blues", "Jig's Jig", "In the Sweet Embrace of Life") are phenomenal, worthy of comparison to the best of Mingus or Ellington. And there is so much great jazz music and great jazz playing on these discs. Wynton's ambition is gigantic, and his style strong due to his followiung his personal aesthetic over time (even if I didn't care for that aesthetic when he was first broadcasting it). The man's making GREAT jazz music. I mean, on a par with anyone.I can't think of any jazz set, either studio or live, that I got as much satisfaction from as this one. I give this my highest recommendation. It's turned me into a big Wynton fan."

As The Butterfly Floats . . . A Future Classic of Live Jazz?

whander@ix.netcom.com | New York, NY USA | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording will serve many listeners' ends -- from the casual jazz purchaser to the student of jazz. In any context, the musicianship displayed on this wonderful recording is first rate. However, the appeal of these performances goes much deeper. From a historical standpoint, one can hear echoes of so many of the great (mostly bop) jazz musicians weaved seamlessly and soulfully throughout the varied selections on the seven (!) disc set. One is reminded of the intimacy and group dynamics so well showcased on The Miles Davis Quintet's "Cooking at the Plugged Nickel" some 35 years ago. Wynton, as a bandleader, learned the lesson so well of how to lead his sidemen by providing direction, and perhaps more importantly, space. It is a joy to hear the varied personalities shine through in the solo work on jazz standards such as "Cherokee" and at the same time hear to power and swing of the collective whole on extended pieces such as "Citi Movement." Wynton's playing is particularly emotive as he takes the listener through his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history without being pedantic. It is so plain that he is comfortable and inspired by the setting as he flutters through various styles of jazz in his own inimitable style. The tambre of his playing is just exquisite, even palpable.The only drawback to an otherwise splendid live recording is the recording itself. When compared to other famous live recordings from the Village Vanguard (e.g. "Coltrane Live at the Village Vanguard") this recording lacks some of the atmosphere and room acoustics one would expect from a present day recording using the latest technologies. This reservation is limited. The overall recorded experience is still sublime and should be a part of any jazz listener's collection. In fact, this collection of jazz could serve as a starting point for a new listener's pursuit of the jazz medium. One can look forward and backward through what will in time be a classic recorded moment in jazz music.P.S. If you don't want to dive into the deep end of the water, you might check out the "Selections from the Village Vanguard" sampler. It's not the full monty by any stretch, but hearing Marcus Roberts rework Monk's "Misterioso" and Wynton's homage to Miles on "Embraceable You" are worth the price of admission on their own."

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