Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » William Parker Quartet: Raining on the Moon

358

William Parker Quartet: Raining on the Moon

By

Sign in to view read count
William Parker Quartet: Raining on the Moon
Following on the heels of his spectacular 2001 recording O'Neal's Porch, bassist William Parker has assembled the same quartet for a more roots-oriented session featuring vocalist Leena Conquest. Raining on the Moon draws upon these musicians' keen ability to listen and respond, and it aims successfully for a more organic sound.

The sparkling intensity of the opener, "Hunk Pappa Blues," rests solidly on a foundation which combines Parker's bass groove with peppery support from drummer Hamid Drake. The tune takes a voyage into outer sound after the quartet states the theme, and horn players Rob Brown and Lewis Barnes use this opportunity to engage in a fiery and spirited exchange. Moments later, vocalist Leena Conquest soars out of the mix proclaiming "My name is Hope." This is where Parker begins to engage his long-term interest in poetry; his stated philosophy with respect to lyrics is that "the words help to tell the story inside the music." For those not familiar with Parker's poetry, these pieces pursue an elemental purity through mystical language and metaphor, often verging on the psychedelic. The twist on "Song of Hope" comes at its conclusion, where Conquest repeats the querying line "Would you let me live?" It's hard to say no.

Music this free does not often incorporate vocals, and when it does it must walk the difficult tightrope between clear, open expression and the deep well of unpredictability. Conquest's singing on Raining on the Moon serves the over-riding thrust of the group, but its true strength comes from the words she delivers. Never pretentious and often almost childlike in their uncluttered message, the lyrics do indeed bring a higher level of meaning to the music in which they are embedded. The instrumental portions of Raining on the Moon cover a range of territory but most often dwell in the realm of relaxed swing, warm blues, and pulsing, understated energy.

What marks Raining on the Moon as unique in Parker's long list of recordings is its raw accessibility. Listeners from various backgrounds will find this disc inviting and exciting. And if that serves the purpose of introducing Parker's vision to new ears, it's more than done its job. William Parker is one of those extremely rare musicians who seems to impart a warm glow to every musical group he joins. When jazz historians look back on improvised music at the turn of this century, William Parker will stand as a giant among men.

Track Listing

Hunk Pappa Blues; Song of Hope; Old Tears; Raining on the Moon; Music Song; The Watermelon Song; James Baldwin to the Rescue; Donso Ngoni.

Personnel

William Parker: bass; Rob Brown: alto sax and flute; Lewis Barnes: trumpet; Hamid Drake: drums; Leena Conquest: vocals.

Album information

Title: Raining on the Moon | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Thirsty Ear Recordings

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

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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