Mixed Bag, Far From It!
Written: Dec 30 '08 (Updated Dec 31 '08)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Toe-tapping at times, great sax play. Easy listening.
Cons: Should have found them sooner.
The Bottom Line: Comes with pleasant surprises that will engage the first-time or long-time jazz fan. On par with some of the best jazz quartets around.
|
|
|
| slbenz's Full Review: Live in Evanston - John's Mixed Bag by The John Te... |
For those that know me, I usually write reviews in the Electronics, Sports and sometimes the Car section of Epinions. But when one of our own Epinions members (Saxguy) asked me to write a review on his latest CD, I jumped at the chance to help a fellow Epinions member.
Overview:
I would say that this CD falls under the category of traditional jazz that could easily be found at my local jazz station in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are 11 songs on this CD that were recorded live, approximately one year apart at the Custer's Last Stand Festival of the Arts in Evanston, Illinois. The first 5 songs were cut in 6/07 while the the last 6 songs were recorded in 6/08. The primary lead instrument on this CD is between a tenor or soprano sax played by John Temmerman. His playing ability on this CD is very reminiscent of another sax giant, Clifford Jordan. If you are fan of Clifford Jordan, you will be a fan of this CD.
Details:
The first track, "Plan B Downsized", written by John really sets the tone for this CD. My notes include: great wailing sax, very engaging and balanced with great guitar riffs. It will start your toes to tapping. This first song will give you a taste of John Temmerman's capabilities as a songwriter let alone a great saxophone player.
Track two, "Sister Sadie", shows a different side of the John Temmerman Quartet. They were able to take an established song and make it their own. Again, great wailing sax, and special guest Steve Thomas who plays trumpet harks emotion and verve similar to Wynton Marsalis. Another toe tapping, easy to listen to track, especially when the drummer Rusty Jones takes the lead.
Track three, "Blue Moon", is a classic song that probably has been overplayed by one too many bands. But in this case, what the John Temmerman Quartet does with this classic is almost magical. Both the saxophone and trumpet leads really make this song. There is much emotion but with a surprising jazz twist you have to got to hear.
Track four, "Spooky", another classic song is another magical journey by the John Temmerman Quartet. Instead of calling this song, "Spooky", it should be called, "Cool" as the adjective that comes to mind when describing this song. The saxophone lead combines a spooky yet cool theme at the same time. Again, easy to listen to and surprising that again this overdone song can be morphed by the John Temmerman Quartet into an excellent rendition.
Track five, "An Aging Dream", written by John Temmerman again shows his prowess as a songwriter. My notes of this song include: It is smooth jazz time. There seems to be a fine balance of each instrument played when it is the lead or accompaniment. This song though smooth, grabs you and takes you to another place and maybe time.
Track six, "Sooner or Later", written by John Temmerman is another smooth jazz piece but this one is probably closest in spirit to Clifford Jordan, another saxophone great. This song is similar in theme that is found on Clifford Jordan's "Live at Ethell's". Also, I did notice that since this was the first track of five that was done at a different time then the previous five tracks, you do not experience any discontinuity from the first five to the last six tracks. Sometimes, when tracks are done with a large gap in time, the sound or theme of the album may not match. In this case, all the tracks flow together as if they were recorded the same day.
Track seven, "Fundamental Dreamer", another song written by John Temmerman is similar in style and sound as track six. Another Clifford Jordan-like performance.
Track eight, "Norwegian Wood", a Beatles song that is interpreted by the John Temmerman Quartet who show that even though you may be familiar with this Beatles song, you really haven't heard it with the jazz flavor they bring. As a Beatles fan myself, I would buy this CD just for this song alone.
Track nine, "Freedom Jazz Dance", as the name implies is a foot-tapping, upbeat tune that will have you participate in the "dance".
Track ten, "Stolen Moments", is probably the most intimate sounding of all the tracks. The sax work on this number reminds me of being in one of those smokey jazz clubs while being near the musicians and enjoying my favorite glass of wine. Excellent.
Track eleven, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", has a beginning sax solo that speaks emotion which you need to listen to.
Track Order, Songwriter and Length:
1. Plan B Downsized (John Temmerman) 4:49
2. Sister Sadie (Horace Silver) 8:13
3. Blue Moon (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) 7:28
4. Spooky (Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, Mike Shapiro, Harry Middelbrooks) 9:24
5. An Aging Dream (John Temmerman) 8:34
6. Sooner or Later (John Temmerman) 5:59
7. Fundamental Dreamer (John Temmerman) 4:55
8. Norwegian Wood (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) 7:59
9. Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris) 7:59
10. Stolen Moments (Oliver Nelson) 4:19
11. Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Public Domain) 3:14
Conclusions:
I think by now you have figured that I just became a fan of the John Temmerman Quartet. If you like the saxophone sound of Clifford Jordan sprinkled in with the essence of Wynton Marsalis, this CD is for you. Having it titled, "John's Mixed Bag" is very appropriate. You experience John's writing abilities with new material and his interpretation with classic songs. I have heard many independent jazz bands through the years and I will have to say that the John Temmerman Quartet can play with the best of them. In my stereo system, you get the sense that the John Temmerman Quartet is on stage playing in your room. They also did a great job nullifying the ambient noise from the audience when they played. Clapping and shouting from the audience is muted and sounds distant and never overpowering. You just get the full energy of the "Mixed Bag". Highly recommended for the first-time and long-time jazz fan.
Where to Purchase:
http://www.jazzobession.com
John Temmerman
9030 Kolmar Ave.
Skokie, IL 60076
847-676-1405 home
847-322-6768 cell
Associated Test Equipment:
Pioneer VSX-74TXVi receiver as processor
Parasound HCA-1205A power amp
Yaqin and Musical Fidelity Tube Buffers
Magnepan IIIa speakers
Velodyne HGS-12 subwoofer
Audioquest Interconnects
Mapleshade Double Helix Speaker Cables
Signal Cable Power Cords
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Listening
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
slbenz
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Location: Fremont, CA, USA
Reviews written: 102
Trusted by: 43 members
About Me:
Business consultant and volunteer mountain bike patrol officer.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.