Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ben Allison: Cowboy Justice

194

Ben Allison: Cowboy Justice

By

Sign in to view read count
Ben Allison: Cowboy Justice
Ben Allison's modern jazz quartet brings a fresh spirit to his latest project with sensual impressions that relate to the world around us. For his original compositions, the bassist has borrowed from the nightly news, world affairs, social ills and reflections on the way things are around us. The result is a varied soundscape of lovely melodies filled with spontaneity and charm.

Trumpeter Ron Horton expresses with heartfelt emotion. His natural tone and passionate demeanor bring his message direct from the soul. Guitarist Steve Cardenas adds a lyrical flavor that colors the session with contemporary coolness, while drummer Jeff Ballard strikes a hip bargain that simmers gently underneath. Allison's big bass not only drives the quartet with majesty, but also provides a memorable jazz solo. He drives those strings right into our senses with a comfortable ease.

The quartet interprets Midnight Cowboy, the only part of the program that didn't originate from compositional seeds planted in Allison's mind, with a loving touch that recalls the original film score. Each of the four artists attaches something lyrical and goes with the flow.

Two "Tricky pieces allow room for the quartet to stretch out in dramatic directions. "Emergency combines traditional Spanish impressions with the blues. "Blabbermouth rides a fresh wave of rhythmic celebration, while "Weazy waffles languorously in a generous display of country pride. Cowboy Justice, with its many colors and personal sense of adventure, comes highly recommended.

Track Listing

Tricky Dick; Talking Heads; Hey Man; Emergency; Midnight Cowboy; Tricky Rides Again; Weazy; Ruby's Roundabout; Blabbermouth.

Personnel

Ben Allison
bass, acoustic

Ben Allison: bass, acoustic guitar; Ron Horton: trumpet, flugelhorn; Steve Cardenas: electric and acoustic guitar; Jeff Ballard: drums.

Album information

Title: Cowboy Justice | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

Mar 22 Fri
Mar 23 Sat

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.