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Steve Lacy Quintet: Last Tour
ByThis quintet's line-up is the same as the one that recorded The Beat Suite (Universal / Sunnyside, 2003) in December 2001. Two of the pieces from that album reappear here, "Naked Lunch" with words by William Burroughs and "In the Pocket" with words by Ann Waldman & Andrew Schelling. In addition to those two, this album includes three further songs with vocals by Aebithe perennial favourites "Morning Joy," "As Usual" (both with lyrics by Bob Kaufman) and "Train Going By" (from Futurities, lyrics by the Black Mountain Poet Robert Creeley); these three date back at least to the mid-eighties.
As well as his playing, Lacy is heard speaking a lot here between pieces. Atypically, before each of the five performances with vocals, he recites the lyrics of the piecemaybe an acknowledgement that (to American ears) Aebi's vocal style and phrasing did not aid comprehension of the songs' lyrics. Nonetheless, these tracks are all about far more than the vocals and lyrics, being peppered with superb playing by all concerned, most notably Lacy and Lewis who both fire off one first-rate solo after another.
The albums three non-vocal tracks are also its longest, the Lacy classics "The Bath" and "Blinks" as well as the fine new composition "Baghdad" making its debut here. All three are superb examples of Lacy at his best in a group context. The recording quality matches that of the music, in particular showcasing the vital roles played by Avenel and Betschan engine-room of which any group would be proud.
With the solo release November (Intakt, 2010)his live farewell to European audiencesand his contribution to Hans Koller's London Ear (33 Jazz, 2005)see the YouTube clip, belowSteve Lacy had already demonstrated that his final year was not tragic but triumphant. Now, this excellent release completes his hat-trick!
Track Listing
The Bath; Morning Joy; As Usual; Naked Lunch; Baghdad; Train Going By; Blinks; In the Pocket.
Personnel
Steve Lacy
saxophone, sopranoSteve Lacy: soprano saxophone, recitation; Irène Aebi: voice (2, 3, 4, 6, 8); George Lewis: trombone; Jean-Jacques Avenel: double bass; John Betsch: drums.
Album information
Title: Last Tour | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Emanem
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