Oliver Nelson: Swiss Suite
Author: Brian Priestley
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
C.J. Shibly (tb) |
Label: |
BGP |
Magazine Review Date: |
August/2014 |
Catalogue Number: |
CDBGPM279 |
RecordDate: |
18 June 1971 |
A less recognised Nelson album, this was done live at Montreux under the auspices of Bob Thiele's Flying Dutchman label, for whom guest stars Cleanhead and Gato also did their own albums, Barbieri being responsible for bringing the Purdie/Vasconcelos/Morgan rhythm-section. Apart from these Thiele artists, the band otherwise consists of people who just happened to be at Montreux that year (Beckett and Bob Sydor were with Graham Collier) and provides rough-and-ready readings of typical Nelson scores, Danny Moore being the only other soloist. The leader's own alto is featured on ‘Stolen Moments’ and two others (with more avant leanings than on most of his records), which were probably performed before the 26-minute title-track. The latter is played as a continuous suite, with two sections for the posturing Barbieri and one each for Vinson and Nelson, but is barely held together with its banal ensemble ideas and Hollywood endings. Worthy of attention perhaps, but hardly a masterpiece.

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