Ernie Watts: A Simple Truth
Author: Andy Robson
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Rudi Engel (b) |
Label: |
Flying Dolphin Records |
Magazine Review Date: |
Dec/Jan/2014/2015 |
RecordDate: |
16-17 January, 4 February 2014 |
The title says it all: Watts stays true to himself with his big hearted, if it not exactly simple, soul-touched sax. The tone is set by the opening meditation ‘Morning’; against a wash of synths, Watts is magnanimous, big toned and always emotionally engaged. He can rattle out the bop when required (as on Dizzie's suitably monickered ‘Bebop’), and slips into ballad mode with ease as on ‘Hope In The Face Of Danger’. If you're feeling mealy mouthed you could argue the project tips too easily into sentimentality, the spirituality too fluffy clouds for some and the reverence with which the supporting band coo around Watts won't scare any horses. But Säenger lays down melodic keys, and a chunky riff on the driving Coltrane touched ‘Acceptance’, so let's celebrate some simple truths in an all too complex world.

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