Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo: Songs of Mirth and Melancholy
Author: Brian Priestley
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Calderazzo |
Label: |
Marsalis Music |
Magazine Review Date: |
June/2011 |
RecordDate: |
c.2009 |
Apparently we owe the existence of this duo, as compared to the long-standing Branford quartet with Joey, to their guest appearances at celebrity golf tournaments. Well, it's a gig, but maybe such a constricted setting is better on the whole than the mostly six-to-eight minutes tracks presented here. Marsalis is his usual highly competent self, covering roughly from Rollins to a bit of Garbarek, and the programme of seven originals plus a Wayne Shorter (‘Face On The Barroom Floor’) and a Brahms has enough meat on it. But Calderazzo, who in the press release prides himself on using no walking bass or ostinato, sometimes leaves the listener aware of a lack of texture. Marsalis is full of praise for the Durham (NC) auditorium where they recorded, yet it sounds as if it needs an audience there to assist the acoustic. I should be more enthusiastic, especially as the last track is called ‘Bri's Dance’, but the rewards are rather intermittent.
Jazzwise Full Club
- Latest print and digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums throughout the year
- Reviews Database access
From £9.08 / month
SubscribeJazzwise Digital Club
- Latest digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
- Reviews Database access