Just gorgeous! First-hand, what a unbelievable tune written by Don! Looks like Ernie might have had a influence arranging this! Fills me with the holy ghost!
Bill was writing a story wherein he nimbly employed coherence, melodic relevance, mood appropriateness, and logical progression that blossomed into a climactic boutique of excellence 👏 👌 That's the Art, rather the Science of Improvisation, I am persuaded. Turrentine's portrait was unceremoniously abridged by a very talented but seemingly impatient craftsman; Ernie was indeed in a haste. Nonetheless, he told his story effectively - no playing around.
Nice to see follow up respect for Bill’s musicianship. I was referring to comments from good musicians( lack thereof 3 yrs ago on this video. He’s a fine player. He stayed at my place on Maui for a week about 18 yrs ago. I didn’t pick his brain out of respect. Maybe I should have.😀😄
First heard this on Don Gronick's album Hearts and Numbers. I had transcribed most of Mike's solo from that version. This is a great version with the saxes playing the piano harmonies. Ernie is burni'n. Mike awesome as always .Love Mr. T's big fat soulful sound and Bill's soprano is beautiful too.Monster lineup of saxes! Would be nice if there was a big band version of both of these tunes :)
Four very different individualist reed soloist, disciplined to a set full of contrasts. Accompanied by world class rhythm section. Very interesting performance of a meanwhile standard tune.
…Stanley Turrentine took the most lyrical and truly expressive solo here. And I’m a fan of all 4 of these saxophone players. Who’s not.. Bill Evans’ adventure was transporting while Watts and Brecker jousted in an almost purely chops and acrobatics contest with hints of true soul. Can't really blame them though ! Great solos in their own mechanical way sprinkled with soul. Stanley and Bill are the musical standouts here in this one. And yeah its all subjective.. I rarely critique performances by true greats like that but as a saxophone player Turrentines’s and Evans’ performance really hit me. Thank you for this post 🌟
Why does it have to be one vs. the other? Makes no sense whatsoever! Two COMPLETELY different players who have always had two different styles. Asinine!!
I am glad that those vibratos which were so cool in the 80s and 90s have almost disappeared. Ernie Watts on alto? That's surprising! But after hearing Branford alto recently, playing his ass off, that should not surprise me.
