Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » William Parker: Song Cycle
William Parker: Song Cycle
With works such as “Baldwin’s Interlude,” Ms. Sokolov and Ms. Fujiyama instill a sense of tempered urgency atop melodramatic overtones via whispery lyricism as the duo explores the unbounded possibilities and similar tonalities of the human voice and acoustic piano. Meanwhile, Parker’s nimble plucking of his bass strings and deft arco-bass work often provides a tender rhythmic forum for Ms. Christi’s probing yet altogether gleaming sensuality of expression. Essentially, this is a starkly beautiful recording, brimming with the artists’ counterbalancing motifs, circuitous paths, and unabated conveyance of good will; however, the objective is clear: Peace and love transcends all.
One of the many highlights to be found on this production is the final opus, “Band In The Sky.” Here, Ms. Sokolov intermingles glimmering scat style vocalise with verse framed upon many of our late jazz greats who have since left this earth to perhaps perform in that “band in the sky.” Hence, the vocalist and Ms. Fujiyama take the listener through a time capsule amid celebratory and at times, sublime passages in honor of those who have imparted a lasting impression on many of us. Simply stated, Song Cycle is a modern day masterpiece. (Strongly Recommended).
Contact “Boxholder Records” at: [email protected]
Track Listing
1. Footnote to a Dream (for Miguel Pinero) 2. Hunkpapa Song (for Tatanka Iyotanka) 3. Baldwin
Personnel
William Parker
bassEllen Christi: voice
Album information
Title: Song Cycle | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Boxholder Records
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.
