L.C.J.O. – “A Love Supreme”
Palmetto Jazz, 2004

Re-arranging John Coltrane’s spiritual magnum opus – especially for a big band – would be an impressive feat for anybody. So it’s OK to be skeptical about the ever-controversial Wynton Marsalis doing just that for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He pulls it off (barely) by doing his very best Duke Ellington impersonation, and the result is more akin to Duke’s later suites than Trane’s original composition, albeit with Wynton’s New Orleans flair popping up throughout.

The LCJO's treatment of the first movement, parts of which seem lightweight and inappropriately humorous, may enrage purists. But the band swings their asses off in parts 2 and 3, and the concluding “Psalm," though long, is handled with excellent taste.

Neither as bad as you may fear nor as exciting as you may hope, this is a solid effort that benefits from high-volume listening.

Fo’s picks: 3, 4, 2

1. 11:24 - Big Ellingtonian intro, cute horn dialogue, soulful trombone solo, hot tenor sax solo, horns toss theme around, high-note trumpet, silly “chanting” by all horns in turn, real chanting by band, quiet end.

2. 09:40 – solo bass intro, then another brassy Duke-ish statement of theme, hard boppin’ alto sax solo, strong piano chords & trills, then horns all slug it out for a big finish, soft landing.

3. 08:28 – drum solo intro, quick theme, speedy trumpet solo ramps it up, angular soprano sax solo, horns play hot potato with melody.

4. 12:08 – somber bass intro, slow horns trade off melody for several minutes, soulful like a gospel funeral with occasional big unison statements. Trumpets blare, saxes moan, trombones weep. This is the only part that maintains the spiritual sense of the original.

[ Fo ] – 3/15/2005