CEDAR WALTON
Three Sundays in the Seventies – Live at the Left Bank
Label M
"Live" Series 1 5711

The 1970s, particularly the early 1970s, are thought of as times when uncompromising acoustic jazz was more-or-less dead. Never mind that independent labels such as Strata East, Muse, Steeplechase, and ECM were busily documenting the uncompromising acoustic music of artists such as Charles Tolliver, Paul Bley, Walt Dickerson, Benny Maupin and Stanley Cowell. These contributions to the jazz canon seem unusually vibrant, even today. Cedar Walton, virtually the house pianist for Blue Note and Prestige during the '60s, should be counted among those who carried the hard bop torch into the 1980s, despite making some rather tepid stabs at plugged-in funkiness himself (e.g., "Mobius" on RCA). Like so many musicians of his generation and pedigree, Walton remains under-recorded as a leader. So, the people at Label M deserve kudos for uncovering recordings from 1971, 1972 and 1974 that capture Walton and his group in performance.

These live tapes were made informally at Baltimore’s famed Left Bank Jazz Society, and their relatively high fidelity is a pleasant surprise. Things get a little buzzy every now and then, but tape operator Vernon Welsh knew what he was doing. The feel here is more friendly and relaxed than a concert situation, but much more geared towards serious listening than a bar gig. Two Walton compositions ("Plexus" and "I’m Not So Sure") are the highlights of this session. Both feature the estimable frontline of Bill Hardman and Clifford Jordan. Hardman, best known for his work with Art Blakey (in a band that also featured Walton) and Lou Donaldson, is another under-appreciated musician whose playing here makes me want to check out more of his recordings. On "Plexus" he spins out brilliantly conceived, long, boppish lines that would turn a lot of heads today. However, his sound on Live at the Left Bank makes me think that he had the microphone jammed right down the throat of his horn. Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, though much better known than Hardman, is another important stylist who never seemed to receive the recognition due him. His impressively broad, warm tone and off-kilter phrasing made me think of somewhat more adventurous contemporary players such as David S. Ware. Jordan eschews the expressionistic approach that is a natural part of many younger players’ vocabulary, but his ideas are definitely forward-looking. He sounds great here!

The trio tracks are somewhat less rewarding, though worthwhile for the most part. Higgins is totally amazing throughout. Thirty years after these recordings were made, I have a hard time thinking of a more versatile, tasteful, and swinging musician. Better yet, his rapport with Walton approaches telepathy. My only qualm here is the proto-cocktail version of "This Guy’s In Love With You." Frankly, this tune was ruined for me after I heard the St. Louis-based pianist David Parker play it on a toy piano on his "Stella By Flashlight" CD. Vocalist Etta Jones brings some energy and campy humor to the two closing selections with her Ella- and Billie-inspired vocal stylings. Though Walton plays a more supportive role on the vocal tracks, he is obviously enjoying himself: the sign of a master musician and consummate professional.

Dave Wayne

Track Listing: 1. Naima; 2. Pinocchio; 3. This Guy’s In Love With You; 4. Plexus; 5. I’m Not So Sure; 6. Shiny Stockings; 7. Blow Top Blues; 8. Don’t Go To Strangers

Personnel: Cedar Walton, piano (all tracks); Billy Higgins, drums (all tracks); Clifford Jordan, tenor saxophone (tracks 2, 4, 5); Bill Hardman, trumpet (tracks 2, 4, 5); Sam Jones, acoustic bass (all tracks except 1, 6); Herbie Lewis, acoustic bass (tracks 1, 6); Etta James, vocals (tracks 7, 8)