Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Various Artists: The Visit

Various Artists: The Visit

By Jim Santella
July 1, 2001
View read count

Starring Billy Dee Williams and Hill Harper, The Visit centers on spiritual awakening and personal redemption. Hence, the soundtrack ranges from uplifting gospel to moody jazz and soulful ballads. Director Jordan Walker-Pearlman selected music appropriate to what he envisioned for the film. He also arranged for five composers to write original music specific to particular themes. Thus, we find in the soundtrack, new music by Stefán Dickerson, Michael Bearden, Stanley A. Smith, Ramsey Lewis, and Wallace Roney.

Trumpeter Roney performs moody melodies that recall Miles Davis. They're appropriate for the director's aim, and add a solemn touch to the theme. Noted vocal sessions lend an enjoyable air. When Joe Williams sings "Thou Swell" with the Count Basie Orchestra, it puts everyone at ease. Nnenna Freelon's stirring arrangement of "Fly Me to the Moon" and Karrin Allyson's deeply spiritual "Deliver Me" make a significant impact. A comical number with Joe Tex and his blues band adds a light touch, while Lalah Hathaway's "For All We Know" oozes with heartfelt emotion. Assembling a film soundtrack can be difficult. Will the audience feel the same way about the scene as those who created it? Director Walker-Pearlman has taken steps to ensure that each piece fits appropriately. The Visit soundtrack convinces.

Track Listing

Thou Swell; For All We Know; You Said a Bad Word; (Sometimes I Feel Like A) Motherless Chil'; Fly Me To the Moon (In Other Words); Deliver Me; Prelude; Mother Father; Hands; Seasons; The Tissue; Big Brother; This Time; The Rescue; Little Prince; His Eye is On the Sparrow; Deliver Me.

Personnel

Various Artists

various

Wallace Roney- trumpet; Niki Harris, Nnenna Freelon, Joe Tex, Karrin Allyson, Lalah Hathaway- vocals; Joe Sample, Ramsey Lewis, Stef

Album information

Title: The Visit | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

About Various Artists

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Meet Duane Eubanks
< Previous

Mats Gustafsson / Paul Lovens Duo & ...
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.