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Tim Ries: Stones World: Rolling Stones Project II

By Mark F. Turner
October 14, 2008
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Jazz saxophonist Tim Ries presents a global travelogue of The Rolling Stones' classics. A continuation from 2005's The Rolling Stones Project (Concord Music Group, 2005), the two CD release, Stones World now crosses international borders (Africa, Brazil, India, Japan, New York, Portugal, and other locales) with the cooperation of indigenous musicians who share an appreciation for the iconic British rock group.

These re-Stoned gems are truly eclectic. The Stones's essence is faithfully retained within the varied cultural signature—the balmy Puerto Rican clave in "Under My Thumb," African dialect and instruments in "Hey Negrita," or Manhattan swing in "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Ries (a member of the Stones touring band since 1999) takes full advantage of the various stimuli and expertly mixes them and delivers a recording whose sum is greater than its individually strong parts.

The Stones members (Mick Jagger, Ronnie Woods, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts) make appearances on many tracks, performing with lesser known yet equally skilled vocalists/musicians. We'd love to hear Jagger belt out the old favorite "Brown Sugar" yet fado singer, Anna Moura delivers quite nicely in a unique version that combines honky-tonk and Portuguese folk music. Neo soul singer Bernard Fowler's steals the show on the jazzy rendition of "Miss You" and the endearing ballad "Fool To Cry" with exquisite accordion touches from Gary Versace. And there are many surprises, which such as "Salt of the Earth" from the Stones's 1968 Beggar's Banquet (ABKCO) which features harp, poetry, chorus, rap/hip hop, and lyrics sung in Arabic, German, French, English, Spanish, and English. And yes, it works wonderfully.

On the jazz side, the music is flawless with contributions from a host of notables—Jack DeJohnette, Larry Goldings, Ben Monder, Eddie Palmieri, and many others. Ries' playing and direction are at the heart of each piece, providing interesting and lively arranging of stirring and vivid performances. With Richards jamming in Japan with guitarist Kazumi Watanabe on "A Funky Number," some flamenco dancing in Spain by Sara Baras on "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and Badal Roy's India tabla percussion on "Angie," this is clearly a Stones tribute unlike any other.

Stones World is a success on many levels; one that can be enjoyed whether or not you're a Stones fan or jazz fan. It's one of the most memorable and enjoyable releases of 2008.

Bonus material on the second disc includes a video of the recording of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and a digital booklet with information about the record.

Track Listing

CD1: Baby Break It Down; Under My Thumb; Hey Negrita; No Expectations; Miss You; Fool To Cry; You Can't Always Get What You Want; Brown Sugar; Salt Of The Earth. CD2: Jumpin' Jack Flash; Angie; A Funky Number; Lady Jane.

Personnel

Tim Ries

saxophone

Tim Ries: alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, piano; Charlie Watts: drums (CD1#3-6,8); Keith Richards: guitar (CD1#1, CD2#3); Mick Jagger: harmonica (CD1#3); Ronnie Wood: guitar, lap steel (CD1#3); Adam Rogers: guitar (solo during song) (CD2#1); African Tuareg group Tidawt: Hasso Akotey: vocals, guitar (CD1#3); Alhassane Foungounou: percussion (CD1#3); Ana Moura: vocals (CD1#4,8); Antonio Suarez: cajon (CD2#1); Austin Peralta: Fender Rhodes (CD1#1, CD2#3); Badal Roy: tablas (CD1#9, CD2#2); Ben Monder: guitar (CD1#9, CD2#2); Bernard Fowler: vocals (CD1#1,3,5,6); Bill Frisell: guitar (CD1#7); Brad Dutz: percussion (CD1#3); Brian Lynch: trumpet (CD1#2); Chuck Leavell: piano (CD1#3,8); Clarence Penn: drums (CD2#2); Conrad Herwig: trombine (CD1#2); Custodio Castelo: Portuguese guitar (CD1#4,8); Dave Carpenter: bass (CD1#3); Eddie Palmieri: piano (CD1#2); Fatima El Shibli: vocals (Arabic, German, French) (CD1#9); Fe: rapper (English) (CD1#9); Felix Bloxum: percussion (CD1#3); Franck Amsallem: piano (CD1#5-6); Frederick Favarell: guitar (CD1#5-6); Gastao Villeroy: bass (CD2#4); Gonzalo Grau: piano-cajon, palmas (CD2#1); Gary Versace: accordion (CD1#6); Gregory Hutchinson: drums (CD1#9, CD2#2); Herman Olivera: vocals(CD1#2); Jack DeJohnette: drums (CD1#7); James Genus: bass (CD1#7); Jasia Ries: vocals (English) (CD1#9); Jay Anderson: bass (CD2#1); John Patitucci: bass (CD1#9, CD2#2); Jordi Bonell: electric guitar (CD1#8); Jorge Fernando: acoustic guitar (CD1#4,8); Jose M. Bandera: flamenco guitar (CD2#1); Jose Serrano: palmas (CD2#1); Kazumi Watanabe: guitar (CD1#1, CD2#3); Kenji Hino: bass (CD1#1); Kiko Continentino: piano (CD2#4); Kiyohiko Semba: percussion (CD1#1, CD2#2); Larry Goldings: organ (CD1#1,7, CD2#3); Lincoln Cheib: drums (CD2#4); Lisa Fischer: vocals (CD2#1); Little Johnny Rivero: bongo, bells (CD1#2); Lynne Richburg: viola (CD1#3); Magos Herrera: vocals (Spanish, Portuguese) (CD1#9); Marc Miralta: percusion (CD1#4,8); Marco Lobo: percussion (CD2#4); Marina Machado: vocals (CD2#4); Mario Montoya: flamenco guitar (CD2#1); Michael Davis: trombone (CD1#5,7, CD2#2,4); Miguel de la Tolea (2nd flamenco vocalist) (CD2#1); Mike Holober: piano (CD1#9, CD2#2); Milton Nascimento: lead vocals, vocals (CD2#4); Minako Yoshida: vocals (CD1#1); Odeya Nini: vocals (Hebrew) (CD1#9); Oumara Almoctar:vocals, guitar(CD1#3); Pedro Martinez: congas (CD1#2); Robby Ameen: drums (CD1#2); Ruben Rodriguez: bass (CD1#2); Sara Baras: flamenco dancer (CD2#1); Saul Quiros: (1st flamenco vocalist) (CD2#1); Stacey Shames: harp (CD1#9); Tal Bergman: drums (CD1#1, CD2#3); Terumasa Hino: trumpet (CD2#3); Thomas Bramerie: bass (CD1#4-6,8); Will Lopes: electric guitar, 10 string guitar (CD2#4).

Album information

Title: Stones World: Rolling Stones Project II | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

About Tim Ries Follow

Instrument: Saxophone

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