Billy Taylor • Urban Griot

 

Review
by Ken Dryden  
The ageless Dr. Billy Taylor describes himself as an urban griot ("In African tradition, a historian, a master musician, an educator, a storyteller," according to the pianist in his informative liner notes) and proceeds to prove the point with his moving suite, which was commissioned by Dr. & Mrs. Clifford Wharton and later dedicated to their son, Clifford Wharton III, after his untimely death. With bassist Chip Jackson and drummer Winard Harper, Taylor's 11 pieces convey a variety of messages and moods. The medley "Local Color/Can You Dig It?" alternates between a funky strut and an infectious dance groove. Dr. Taylor invites the listener to briskly waltz along with "Reclamation." "Conversion" is a feature for Jackson's considerable chops, while Harper is the focus of "Like a Heartbeat," a piece that finds the percussion in an almost conversational role à la Max Roach. Phil Schaap, who wrote additional liner notes, implies the chord changes of "Sweet Georgia Brown" are the basis for "Invention/Looking for Another Theme," though Dr. Taylor seems to disagree. "A Duke-ish Blues" is a superb finale in tribute to Duke Ellington that hints at the maestro's style without losing sight of Taylor's own distinct sound. Dr. Taylor's moving narrative about losing a son, "Spoken," honors not only the Wharton's son but also his own late son; it serves as a fitting introduction to the heartfelt ballad "In Loving Memory." Jazz has been very fortunate to have Billy Taylor in its midst for so long; this recording should be one of the first acquired by this talented musician, composer, and educator who has shared his love of jazz in so many ways for so many decades.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/urban-griot-mw0000011699

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden  
El eterno Dr. Billy Taylor se describe a sí mismo como un griot urbano ("En la tradición africana, un historiador, un maestro de la música, un educador, un contador de historias", según el pianista en sus informativas notas) y procede a demostrarlo con su conmovedora suite, que fue encargada por el Dr. y la Sra. Clifford Wharton y más tarde dedicada a su hijo, Clifford Wharton III, después de su prematura muerte. Con el bajista Chip Jackson y el batería Winard Harper, las 11 piezas de Taylor transmiten una variedad de mensajes y estados de ánimo. El popurrí "Local Color/Can You Dig It?" alterna entre un puntal funky y un contagioso ritmo de baile. Taylor invita al oyente a bailar un vals enérgico con "Reclamation". "Conversion" es una muestra de las considerables habilidades de Jackson, mientras que Harper es el centro de "Like a Heartbeat", una pieza en la que la percusión desempeña un papel casi conversacional a lo Max Roach. Phil Schaap, autor de las notas adicionales, da a entender que los cambios de acordes de "Sweet Georgia Brown" son la base de "Invention/Looking for Another Theme", aunque el Dr. Taylor no parece estar de acuerdo. "A Duke-ish Blues" es un soberbio final en homenaje a Duke Ellington que alude al estilo del maestro sin perder de vista el sonido propio y distintivo de Taylor. La conmovedora narración del Dr. Taylor sobre la pérdida de un hijo, "Spoken", honra no sólo al hijo de los Wharton sino también a su propio hijo fallecido; sirve de adecuada introducción a la sentida balada "In Loving Memory". El jazz ha sido muy afortunado de tener a Billy Taylor en su seno durante tanto tiempo; esta grabación debería ser una de las primeras adquiridas por este talentoso músico, compositor y educador que ha compartido su amor por el jazz de tantas maneras durante tantas décadas.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/urban-griot-mw0000011699

Tracks:
1 - Local Color/Can You Dig It?    4:25
2 - Reclamation    5:49
3 - Gracias Chucho    2:54
4 - Etude    4:06
5 - Conversion    4:44
6 - Spoken     1:38
7 - In Loving Memory    6:13
8 - Like A Heartbeat    4:16
9 - Invention/Looking For Another Theme    5:35
10 - Transformation    8:30
11 - A Duke-ish Blues    5:52


Credits:
    Bass – Chip Jackson
    Drums – Winard Harper
    Liner Notes – Phil Schaap
    Piano – Billy Taylor
    Producer, Liner Notes – Billy Taylor
    Written-By, Arranged By – Billy Taylor

Label:    Soundpost (2) – SP3050-2
Format:   
CD, Album
Country:    US
Released:    2001
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop, Swing, Latin Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/11142447-Billy-Taylor-Trio-Urban-Griot

 

 

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