Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Charlie Haden: Land Of The Sun

353

Charlie Haden: Land Of The Sun

By

Sign in to view read count
Charlie Haden: Land Of The Sun
Charlie Haden explains that his focus for Land Of The Sun rests firmly on "three great composers who reflect the beauty of the music of Mexico." José Sabre Marroquín, Armando Manzanero and Augustín Lara have given us a treasury of graceful themes that reflect a society where music has never taken a back seat, and a country that is proud to preserve its traditions. With his deep bass gently pushing its lyrical framework along rustic breezes, the ensemble is free to explore lush harmonic relationships and suave ballad outlines.

"Solamente Una Vez" wraps itself in golden cascades from Gonzalo Rubalcaba's piano. Tenderly, he treats the lovely ballad with honor. Gradually, he pours forth the heartfelt meaning of the ballad, before inviting Haden to add his haunting soliloquy. Both pianist and bassist, quite at home with a ballad, caress each refrain with elaborate care.

Marroquín's "Nostalgia" pairs trumpeter Michael Rodriguez with saxophonist Joe Lovano in a roaming journey through pleasant surroundings. The ensemble colors its passionate statements with a sweeping, seamless motion. The music is at once proud and relaxed.

Saxophonist Miguel Zenon, along with Rodriguez and Lovano, improvise lovely soliloquies on Marroquín's "De Siempre," while Rubalcaba and flutist Oriente Lopez give the composer's "Añoranza" a sonorous wave. Haden begins Marroquín's waltz "Cuando Te Podré Olvidar" with a gentle bass melody that opens the door for a mercurial alto flute chorus and a dreamy flugelhorn outing.

The ensemble takes great care to preserve the composer's intended purpose. Rubalcaba's arrangements allow the group's soft, pastel colors to blend evenly. Haden's recommended Land Of The Sun breathes freely in an atmosphere where lyrical beauty holds due respect, and improvised expressions have no strings attached.

Track Listing

Fuiste Tu, Sueno Solo Con Tu Amor, Cancion De Cuna, Solomente Una Vez, Nostalgia, De Siepre, Anoranza, Cuando Te Podre Olvidar, Esta Tarde Vi Llover, Paolo's Song

Personnel

Charlie Haden
bass, acoustic

Charlie Haden—bass; Gonzalo Rubalcala-piano; Ignacio Berroa—drums; with: Joe Lovano—tenor saxophone; Miguel Zenon—alto saxophone; Michael Rodriquez—trumpet, flugelhorn; Oriente Lopez—flute; Larry Koonse, Lionel Louke—guitar; uan De La Cruz—percussion

Album information

Title: Land of the Sun | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Verve Music Group

Comments

Tags


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.