ROBERT WAGNER
TRIO
Walking, Crying, Laughing, Running
Valid Records
VR-1011
The only thing this CD is missing is liner notes. Young artists such as
Wagner truly benefit most from informative liner notes. Unless Downbeat
and Jazz Times miraculously wake up from their Diana Krall – induced
slumber, fans are not going to be able to read much about new, exciting
and original artists anywhere else!
OK, so there’s no liner notes, but the booklet contains a cool picture
of the trio in action. Looking at it, the trio’s intense mutual connectedness
is palpable. True to the impression left by the photograph, this CD brims
with musical heat. The trio’s previous CD, was definitely a worthwhile
listen, but this one really shows that he’s not just another capable
young jazz saxophonist. His improvisations, spurred by the churning interaction
of a top-drawer rhythm section, are marvels of energy and invention. His
tone on all three horns is deep, distinctive and appealing. His brassy,
trumpet-like soprano (No Answer) is particularly impressive, especially
since soprano doesn’t seem to be his main horn.
Wagner also shows little slack when it comes to composing. While none
of his pieces are remarkably complex or convoluted, only a few of the
eight originals that comprise Walking, Crying, Laughing, Running follow
the typical head – solos – head jazz format. As you might expect,
the title track starts out at a brisk tempo and goes through several distinct
motifs before returning to its starting point. The aptly titled Arthur
Blythe (featuring Wagner on alto, of course) alternates ballad-like and
uptempo sections – the latter having an 8-beat feel that is not quite
be-bop and not quite funk. The rest of the pieces presented here are similarly
engaging and spicy. There’s a gauzy darkness to the trio’s sound
that reminds me of the better stuff that came out on Blue Note during
the early 60s.
Anyone who listens to jazz will tell you, however, that being an accomplished
player and having a brace of well-crafted compositions to play is not
enough to ensure that one’s CD will be worth the hour or so it takes
to listen to it all. Great jazz requires a certain amount of black magic
to succeed – an intangible connection between the individual players,
and an innate ability to listen and play simultaneously. Walking Crying
Laughing Running has this sort of magic in abundance. Bassist Jim Singleton
already demonstrated his profound understanding and empathy with Wagner’s
music on the Trio’s debut CD. James Alsanders - who replaces Kevin
O’Day in the drum chair - is really something special. He is right
there with Wagner and Singleton, as any good drummer should be, and he
contributes a particular sort of rolling, churning forward motion that
really makes Wagner’s music come alive – even during the ballads
and quiet parts.
So, there you have it – jazz is still alive in New Orleans, and please
do yourself a favor and check out this CD as soon as you finish reading
this!!
-Dave Wayne
Tracks: 1) Walking, Crying, Laughing, Running; 2) Arthur Blythe; 3) Tears
of the Sun; 4) Mister E; 5) Peaceful; 6) No Answer; 7) You Slippin’;
8) Kio’s Song
Personnel: Wagner – tenor, alto, soprano saxophones; James Singleton
– bass; James Alsanders – drums