Allan Songer Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 A good place to start your Von Freeman album collection is with the 2003 release "The Improvisor" on Premonition records: The cuts from this album are taken from three sessions. The first cut is a solo rendition of "If I Should Lose You" recorded live in a concert (as opposed to club) setting--dead quiet appreciative audience, etc. Von's playing will tear your heart out. Of all the "solo" jazz saxophone performances I have heard both live and on record, Von Freeman is second to NONE--an this includes Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper and others. His timing is unreal and his tone is HUGE at times and then soft, breathy and lyrical and BOOM! he's completely "outside" yet still on top--freaking AMAZING. Following the opening cut are four tunes recorded live with Von's regular Tuesday night quartet at the "New Apartment Lounge" on Chicago's south side--a regular gig Von's been making for almost 25 years. The quartet includes Michael Raynor, the drummer that Scott and Art were talking about. Also on hand are guitarist Mike Allemana and bassist Jack Zara. This group plays with the authority of havig played HUNDREDS of gigs together. The first cut is a smoking bebop workout called "Ski-Wee," a Von Freeman original and is followed by three "standards," "What is This Thing Called Love," "Darn That Dream" and a languid yet absolutely BURNING version of Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa" where Von takes TWO extended solos that are mind-boggling. The second to the last cut on the album finds Von in a different quartet setting with Jason Moran on piano, Nasheed Waits on drums and Mark Helis on bass, a blues called "Blues for Billie," another original Von Freeman composition. The final track is a duet featuring Moran and Von on "I Like the Sunrise." This CD is still in print and available--amazingly you can even order it from Wal*Mart! http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?dest=9999999997&product_id=1947257&sourceid=0100000012231186002498 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 you Tease ... i just followed the link to order .... 'out of stock" ..........[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXASRONANDTRISH Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 you Tease ... i just followed the link to order .... 'out of stock" ..........[] Then go here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=br_ss_hs/002-2996540-9733645?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dmusic&field-keywords=Von+Freeeman&Go.x=6&Go.y=4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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