Live in New York
Reviews
Craig Matsumoto
Reviewed 2003-06-09
Reviewed 2003-06-09
Poetry with free-jazz backing and a richly African sound. The heart of the band is Ijeoma Thomas doing poetry (1,3,5,7) accompanied by Oluyemi Thomas on bass clarinet and other woodwinds, supplemented by bass and drums. Lots of ancillary percussion from the Thomases as well.
There's a death theme throughout, starting with the first song's funereal theme and running through the dedications to musicians who've passed (including Wilbur Morris, the bassist on this CD, who died last year). Ijeoma pours lots of ecstatic shrieks and howls into her reading, so be prepared for that.
1- Slow and intense, plenty of Yoko Ono sounds from Ijeoma
2*- Fast bass clarinet wanderings. Wordless speak-singing from Ijeoma.
3- Both meditative and disturbing, featuring a tart-sounding wind instrument
4*- African flute and bells, peaceful. Fierce bass clarinet later.
5*- Similar to 1, about Eric Dolphy
6- Very nice expressive bass solo. Then a thumb-piano interlude, soothing
7*- Fast, skittery. Includes a band introduction, where you can learn to pronounce Oluyemi and Ijeoma's names!!
8- Bass clarinet and drums, firey playing
9- Soothing flute, then some agile sax-like instrument
There's a death theme throughout, starting with the first song's funereal theme and running through the dedications to musicians who've passed (including Wilbur Morris, the bassist on this CD, who died last year). Ijeoma pours lots of ecstatic shrieks and howls into her reading, so be prepared for that.
1- Slow and intense, plenty of Yoko Ono sounds from Ijeoma
2*- Fast bass clarinet wanderings. Wordless speak-singing from Ijeoma.
3- Both meditative and disturbing, featuring a tart-sounding wind instrument
4*- African flute and bells, peaceful. Fierce bass clarinet later.
5*- Similar to 1, about Eric Dolphy
6- Very nice expressive bass solo. Then a thumb-piano interlude, soothing
7*- Fast, skittery. Includes a band introduction, where you can learn to pronounce Oluyemi and Ijeoma's names!!
8- Bass clarinet and drums, firey playing
9- Soothing flute, then some agile sax-like instrument
Recent airplay
Ask Eric / Iron Soul
Memory Select — Oct 05, 2007
In One Heart
Memory Select — Jul 21, 2006
Secrets of Imperfection
Memory Select — Oct 07, 2005
Direct Focus
Memory Select — Jun 17, 2005
Secrets of Imperfection
Memory Select -- SF Alt preview (sfalt.org) — May 14, 2004
Ask Eric / Iron Soul
radiomundi — Aug 08, 2003
Charting
2003-06-09 — 2003-08-11
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Aug 10 | 2 |
| Aug 3 | 1 |
| Jul 27 | 1 |
| Jul 20 | 1 |
| Jul 6 | 1 |
| Jun 29 | 1 |
| Jun 22 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Proofs | ||
| 2. | Secrets of Imperfection | ||
| 3. | The Upper Chamber House ... | ||
| 4. | Righteous Intent | ||
| 5. | Ask Eric / Iron Soul | ||
| 6. | Mother Africa | ||
| 7. | In One Heart | ||
| 8. | Direct Focus | ||
| 9. | Beauty Is Hidden |