Nigel Kennedy • Blue Note Sessions

 

Review by Ken Dryden
Nigel Kennedy made quite a reputation for himself as a classical violin virtuoso, though he long expressed an interest in jazz prior to the making of this CD. A number of jazz veterans, including bassist Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette, pianist Kenny Werner, and tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano (along with several others) are present and provide a stimulating group for Kennedy, who early on in the disc is comparable to Jean-Luc Ponty during the early stages of his career as a leader. But Kennedy seems a bit too conservative throughout much of the date, not taking the kind of chances one would expect of a jazz violinist during his improvisations. Another part of the problem is due to the presence of some rather pedestrian material like Butch Cornell's bland funk vehicle "Sunshine Alley" (which adds organist Lucky Peterson) and the forgettable treatment of "Expansions," featuring Raul Midón's vocal and Kennedy's bizarre use of digital delay on his instrument. Even Horace Silver's hard bop masterpiece "Song for My Father" doesn't reach his potential. Nigel Kennedy demonstrates clearly how hard it is to play jazz convincingly when it is not a major part of his regular playing schedule.

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Nigel Kennedy se hizo una gran reputación como virtuoso del violín clásico, aunque ya había expresado su interés por el jazz antes de la realización de este CD. Varios veteranos del jazz, entre ellos el bajista Ron Carter, el baterista Jack DeJohnette, el pianista Kenny Werner y el saxofonista tenor Joe Lovano (junto con varios otros) están presentes y constituyen un grupo estimulante para Kennedy, que al principio del disco es comparable a Jean-Luc Ponty durante las primeras etapas de su carrera como líder. Pero Kennedy parece un poco demasiado conservador durante gran parte de la fecha, no corriendo el tipo de riesgos que uno esperaría de un violinista de jazz durante sus improvisaciones. Otra parte del problema se debe a la presencia de algún material más bien peatonal como el vehículo funk soso de Butch Cornell "Sunshine Alley" (que añade el organista Lucky Peterson) y el olvidable tratamiento de "Expansiones", que presenta la voz de Raúl Midón y el extraño uso que Kennedy hace del retardo digital en su instrumento. Incluso la obra maestra del hard bop de Horace Silver "Song for My Father" no alcanza su potencial. Nigel Kennedy demuestra claramente lo difícil que es tocar jazz de forma convincente cuando no es una parte importante de su agenda habitual.

 

www.nigelkennedy.co.uk ...

 

Tracks:
1 Midnight Blue 5:08
2 Sudel 7:15
3 Maybe In Your Dreams 7:30
4 Sunshine Alley 4:48
5 Nearly 5:41
6 Expansions 5:24
7 Stranger In A Stranger Land 6:29
8 Song For My Father 7:29
9 After The Rain 5:19
10 I Almost Lost My Mind 8:16
11 Song For World Forgiveness 7:47
12 - September Second 7:58

 

  Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Raul Midon* (tracks: 6)
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Lucky Peterson (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 10)
Percussion – Daniel Sadownick (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 8, 11)
Piano – Kenny Werner (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 7 to 9, 11)
Tenor Saxophone – J.D. Allen (tracks: 6, 7, 10), Joe Lovano (tracks: 2, 3, 8, 9)
Violin [Electric] – Nigel Kennedy


Notes
 Recorded in Studio C, Avatar Studio, New York, on November 26, 27, 29, 30, 2005

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