Harriet Tubman
Jazz
| Oct 2008
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2008-10-04
Reviewed 2008-10-04
MARCUS SHELBY JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Harriet Tubman
Noir, 2008
MODERN BIG BAND – This is a stunning oratorio about the heroic slave/spy/nurse/activist by local bassist/composer Shelby, a sprawling black historical epic reminiscent of Duke Ellington’s later work, with the influence of Charles Mingus and Wynton Marsalis also evident. The band and soloists are consistently excellent, while singers Faye Carol and Kenny Washington bring power and phenomenal swing (and can scat like mad). Just wonderful, an absolute triumph.
Fo’s Picks: Disc 1 – 2, 3, 5 Disc 2 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
DISC ONE
1. 1:44 – calm bluesy intro, sets up the main melodic theme
2. 9:29 – sharp cry into bold, rolling groove w/ African undertone, strong solos
3. 10:35 – awesome vocal, firm and defiant; starts slowly, turns upbeat
4. 4:51 – happily swinging love song; good but feels a bit out of place here
5. 5:23 – engaging uptempo glide, hummable melody; vocals add gospel feel
6. 8:28 – gospel hymn, simply stated, strong vocals and sweet ensemble
7. 3:21 – deliberate pace, complex vocal harmony, interlaced horns
DISC TWO
1. 14:03 – cool sneaky instrumental, a high-wire groove, very strong solos
2. 6:04 – instrumental starts with cold fire, shifts to more soulful feel; hot sax
3. 4:45 – baritone vocal, slow and somber, soft, dusky horns, intriguing rhythm
4. 8:30 – easy walking blues, laid-back, but ends in a raucous celebration
5. 9:50 – classic spiritual, advanced harmony; then hard-hitting uptempo
[ Fo ] 4-Oct-08
Noir, 2008
MODERN BIG BAND – This is a stunning oratorio about the heroic slave/spy/nurse/activist by local bassist/composer Shelby, a sprawling black historical epic reminiscent of Duke Ellington’s later work, with the influence of Charles Mingus and Wynton Marsalis also evident. The band and soloists are consistently excellent, while singers Faye Carol and Kenny Washington bring power and phenomenal swing (and can scat like mad). Just wonderful, an absolute triumph.
Fo’s Picks: Disc 1 – 2, 3, 5 Disc 2 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
DISC ONE
1. 1:44 – calm bluesy intro, sets up the main melodic theme
2. 9:29 – sharp cry into bold, rolling groove w/ African undertone, strong solos
3. 10:35 – awesome vocal, firm and defiant; starts slowly, turns upbeat
4. 4:51 – happily swinging love song; good but feels a bit out of place here
5. 5:23 – engaging uptempo glide, hummable melody; vocals add gospel feel
6. 8:28 – gospel hymn, simply stated, strong vocals and sweet ensemble
7. 3:21 – deliberate pace, complex vocal harmony, interlaced horns
DISC TWO
1. 14:03 – cool sneaky instrumental, a high-wire groove, very strong solos
2. 6:04 – instrumental starts with cold fire, shifts to more soulful feel; hot sax
3. 4:45 – baritone vocal, slow and somber, soft, dusky horns, intriguing rhythm
4. 8:30 – easy walking blues, laid-back, but ends in a raucous celebration
5. 9:50 – classic spiritual, advanced harmony; then hard-hitting uptempo
[ Fo ] 4-Oct-08
Recent airplay
Stampede Of Slaves, Go Down Moses, I Will Not Stand Still
Music Casserole (rebroadcast from Dec 11, 2021) — Dec 16, 2021
Stampede Of Slaves, Go Down Moses, I Will Not Stand Still
Music Casserole — Dec 11, 2021
I Will Not Stand Still
No Cover, No Minimum — Jan 31, 2014
I Will Not Stand Still
No Cover, No Minimum — May 14, 2010
Stampede Of Slaves
No Cover, No Minimum — Feb 20, 2009
Life On The Chesapeake
No Cover, No Minimum — Nov 28, 2008
Charting
2008-10-05 — 2008-12-07
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Nov 30 | 3 |
| Nov 16 | 1 |
| Nov 9 | 1 |
| Nov 2 | 1 |
| Oct 26 | 1 |
| Oct 19 | 1 |
| Oct 12 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Prelude: Ben & Rit | ||
| 2. | Ashanti Stomp | ||
| 3. | I Will Not Stand Still | ||
| 4. | Ben (Passin' Time) | ||
| 5. | Life On The Chesapeake | ||
| 6. | Over Here Lord | ||
| 7. | North To Delaware | ||
| 8. | Stampede Of Slaves | ||
| 9. | Freedom Trail | ||
| 10. | 54th Regiment (Will They Fight?) | ||
| 11. | Black Suffrage Blues | ||
| 12. | Go Down Moses |