Excellent piece. I have tried so hard to get into JBL because I have total respect for his ability and integrity. At heart, I think his “molecule” is a kind of shackle that he is not really free of and I hear this holding him back - to my ears anyway. He has a great sound and technique of course but when the more obvious licks are stripped away there doesn’t seem to be many ideas. I listened again to the tracks you inserted and as I remember, they tend to stay on a similar middling level throughout. So I end up wishing I was listening to the players he is inspired by. Or the subtlety of Charles Lloyd or the all out joy of Isiah Collier. I’m sure I’m just getting old and too grumpy and totally missing it! All power to him though, we need him to keep going!
I saw a quote from you recently about your respect for gary giddins, and this was a very giddins-esque piece, combining an excellent precis of lewis' career with deep critical insight.
Great overview of JBL. Apple Cores last year was great, as was his work with the Messthetics. I do wish his quartet releases would be issued on vinyl by Impulse or Anti.
I would also suggest that one of the "sax giants" to watch right now is Muriel Grossmann. She is very much in the Coltrane/Ware "lane", has a stellar band and her last 4 releases (as well as overall discography) have been amazing work.
Branford Quartet's REQUIEM and CONTEMPORARY JAZZ both stand up as capital-G Great for me. His quartet albums since then have all been versions of those same two, or have matured/developed in ways beyond my ears.
Thanks for writing this great piece of in-depth introduction. I didn’t come across his music until the past year when his name pop up in the album of the year lists, and then I saw his live concert video at the Bimhuis TV, and was blown away. Will definitely explore more.
Great column, Phil! Lewis is officially a giant, and that band rules.
Excellent piece. I have tried so hard to get into JBL because I have total respect for his ability and integrity. At heart, I think his “molecule” is a kind of shackle that he is not really free of and I hear this holding him back - to my ears anyway. He has a great sound and technique of course but when the more obvious licks are stripped away there doesn’t seem to be many ideas. I listened again to the tracks you inserted and as I remember, they tend to stay on a similar middling level throughout. So I end up wishing I was listening to the players he is inspired by. Or the subtlety of Charles Lloyd or the all out joy of Isiah Collier. I’m sure I’m just getting old and too grumpy and totally missing it! All power to him though, we need him to keep going!
I saw a quote from you recently about your respect for gary giddins, and this was a very giddins-esque piece, combining an excellent precis of lewis' career with deep critical insight.
Great overview of JBL. Apple Cores last year was great, as was his work with the Messthetics. I do wish his quartet releases would be issued on vinyl by Impulse or Anti.
I would also suggest that one of the "sax giants" to watch right now is Muriel Grossmann. She is very much in the Coltrane/Ware "lane", has a stellar band and her last 4 releases (as well as overall discography) have been amazing work.
Branford Quartet's REQUIEM and CONTEMPORARY JAZZ both stand up as capital-G Great for me. His quartet albums since then have all been versions of those same two, or have matured/developed in ways beyond my ears.
Love the essay. Cheers.
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ and CRAZY PEOPLE MUSIC are the two I return to most.
I really love The Dark Keys, which is a trio record. It seems out of character for Marsalis, which is maybe why I like it.
Thanks for writing this great piece of in-depth introduction. I didn’t come across his music until the past year when his name pop up in the album of the year lists, and then I saw his live concert video at the Bimhuis TV, and was blown away. Will definitely explore more.