Jackie McLean • Nature Boy

 

Review by Rose of Sharon Witmer
The year 2000 saw the release of a Blue Note CD featuring Jackie McLean that presented the alto saxophone master in a new perspective. Normally a firebrand, McLean banks the embers on this one to create a sound more mellow than his fans have heard in the past. But something is gained in the slow burn, and beautiful music is the beneficiary on this collection of jazz standards. McLean is joined in his endeavor by three of the top musicians in his trade: Cedar Walton on piano, David Williams on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. This impeccable aggregation is definitely up to the task of reining in the edgy side of McLean's playing, as they engage in a musical dialogue and trade off solo riffs. Witness their musical conversation in the album's opening number, a moody "You Don't Know What Love Is." Just like a meaningful discussion among friends, every bandmember has something to say, to which the others listen respectfully and then respond. Whether the sound is poignant as on "Nature Boy," reflective as on "I Can't Get Started," or tender as on "Star Eyes," the music is effectively evocative of the mood. "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" allows the foursome to go out gracefully with the atmospheric, romantic quality that suffuses the entire recording. The heretofore unheard side of Jackie McLean is something to be enjoyed.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nature-boy-mw0000052852

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Reseña de Rose of Sharon Witmer
En el año 2000 salió a la venta un CD de Blue Note con Jackie McLean que presentaba al maestro del saxofón alto desde una nueva perspectiva. Normalmente un incendiario, McLean apaga las brasas en este disco para crear un sonido más suave que el que sus fans han escuchado en el pasado. Pero algo se gana en la combustión lenta, y la bella música es la beneficiaria en esta colección de estándares de jazz. A McLean le acompañan en su empeño tres de los mejores músicos de su oficio: Cedar Walton al piano, David Williams al bajo y Billy Higgins a la batería. Esta impecable agrupación está definitivamente a la altura de la tarea de controlar el lado afilado de la interpretación de McLean, ya que entablan un diálogo musical e intercambian riffs solistas. Su conversación musical es testigo en el número de apertura del álbum, un malhumorado «You Don't Know What Love Is». Al igual que en una conversación entre amigos, cada miembro de la banda tiene algo que decir, y los demás escuchan respetuosamente y responden. Tanto si el sonido es conmovedor como en «Nature Boy», reflexivo como en «I Can't Get Started» o tierno como en «Star Eyes», la música evoca eficazmente el estado de ánimo. «A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square» permite al cuarteto despedirse con elegancia con la calidad atmosférica y romántica que impregna toda la grabación. Hay que disfrutar de la faceta inédita de Jackie McLean.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nature-boy-mw0000052852


 

Tracks:
1 - You Don't Know What Love Is - 7:47
2 - Nature Boy - 9:30
3 - I Can't Get Started - 7:57
4 - What Is This Thing Called Love - 6:31
5 - I Fall In Love Too Easily - 5:09
6 - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - 5:51
7 - Star Eyes - 5:31
8 - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square - 8:28


Credits:
    Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean
    Bass – David Williams
    Drums – Billy Higgins
    Piano – Cedar Walton

Label:    Blue Note – 7243 5 23273 2 4
Country:    Europe
Released:    2000
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop

 

 

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