Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » : An Upper From Down Under

: An Upper From Down Under

By AAJ Staff
March 1, 1997
View read count

After nearly 50 years of playing Jazz Detective, nothing new phased these old jaded ears - not until I met-up with James Morrison of Australia. He is, in my view, the 9th wonder of the Jazz Universe. Proof, if you need it, is contained on a CD with a silly title - "Snappy Doo." It's on the Atlantic label.

This music "kills." The musicians are Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums) and Mr. Morrison on everything else; trumpets, trombones, saxophones, tubas, and piano. There are eleven tunes which are performed in the mode of serious fun - music which will give joy no matter the depth of depression.

James is a phenomenon! What he can't do well on all of the above instruments just isn't worth doing. Add to this the fact that he arranged all but one of the charts is another creative jewel he possesses. Whether he's performing here in a combo context or as a one-man Big Band, the result is the same - "my god, I can't believe my ears!" And he does it all with wit, polish, and humor...

The CD was recorded in Nov-Dec, '89 at Rhinoceros Studios in Sidney, Australia and contains 53:00 of improvised magic. Four of the tunes are by James as he overdubs his concept as a one-man band. Five others are small group works, one is a kind of Tuba Consort bossa surprise, and one is a stunning brass choir plus big band gem. I suggested that you remove your shoes before play this monster CD. It will, indeed, knock your socks off! Down Under is an Upper!!

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Soul Serenade
< Previous

Live At The Five Spot: Discovery!
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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.