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

Charlie Haden: Land Of The Sun

By Jim Santella
November 4, 2004
View read count

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

About Charlie Haden

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Blues In The Alley
< Previous

Hope is in the Air
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.