A New Perspective

Artist: Donald Byrd
Label: Blue Note Records
Category: Music

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Format: Original recording reissued
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 724349900622
EAN: 0724349900622
ASIN: B00000IWVW

Release Date: 1999-05-18

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Tracks:

Elijah
Beast Of Burden
Cristo Redentor
The Black Disciple
Chant

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Customer Reviews:

Mood Jazz.......2006-06-07

Apart from the vocal textures, there's not a lot of inherent musical interest on this album. The "tunes" are simple musical ideas based on Dorian modes and minor blues changes, the rhythm is primarily walking 4/4, the principals (Byrd, Burrell, Mobley, Hancock) each manage to provide at least one pleasant but unremarkable solo statement. At least it's better background jazz than you'll hear these days on those so-called "contemporary jazz" stations.

As for the performance itself, it's far from perfect. There are random false starts by the vocalists as well as the instrumentalists, and individual voices among both groups occasionally stick out when they should be blending in (or one voice sings "dah-dot" while the others sing "doo-dot"). Van Gelder, moreover, is not the ideal sound engineer for a recording like this. His flat aural canvases and disregard for spatial imaging make no distinction, for example, between the volume level of a single piano note and the entire choir. With the addition of a horn like Coltrane's, with its spirit-seeking quality, and a recording respectful of space and ambiance, this session might have acquired some depth and spiritual/emotional resonance.

perfect for a sunday morning........2004-09-25

(this might duplicate the previous review, as I had tech problems here).

Donald Byrd and Duke Pearson team up again (I have Byrd's "a new perspective" with Duke Pearson at the keys, recorded 3 years before in 1960). This time, Duke Pearson leaves the keys to Herbie Hancock, and sticks to the role of arranger and composer. He wrote 2 out of the 5 songs, and Byrd the other 3.

Songs are for voice and jazz band, but the voices are treated as just instruments, and blend effortlessly with the instruments. Donald's trumpet and Hank Mobley's sax sound especially human-like in this setting (actually, to preserve the illusion, all the solos are quite restrained and paced accordingly).

The compositions have a hymnal quality which reminded me of Charlie Haden and Hank Jones' "steal away". They are mostly melancholic songs with bluesy church-y undertones. This cd will not get you to dance, but you will listen to it again when the right mood strikes.

Pretty Good but I got spoiled but His Later work more.......2002-06-20

this set isn't bad at all.He takes on a few styles here&some things work.but Compared to His Early 70's Output the Music Here doesn't have that Lasting vibe for me.the Musicianship here is sharp but the Material overal doesn't hold up to me.but I have enjoyed many of His Recordings&He has a Cool Tone in His Work.

Byrd in a departure.......2001-01-08

Byrd, who made his name in the hard-bop vein on a large number of Blue Note and Prestige releases in the '50s and '60s, makes "A New Perspective" live up to its name, particularly in light of his later rather tepid funk/R&B material in the '70s with the Blackbyrds. This release gathers together familiar Blue Note mainstays, including Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, and Herbie Hancock, but Byrd offers up a series of gospel-inspired tunes with his band backing the Coleridge-Perkinson Choir. The results are mostly satisfying, although at times the vocal arrangements lacked the tonal color I'd have liked.

The album offers, however, one unforgettable gem: the soaring, majestic and altogether inspiring "Cristo Redentor," one of the best compositions of the underrated pianist Duke Pearson. The tune was inspired by Pearson's sighting of the statue of Christ in the Andes, and the music seems to capture every bit of the awe Pearson undoubtedly felt when he viewed the statue. The choir begins with a deep, reverent hum that lays a base from which the soprano voicings depart. After this stirring intro, Byrd enters, sketching the theme respectfully before offering his own humble, but blues-drenched respects to the vision. Also not to be missed in the performance is Hancock's soulful accompaniment on piano. Tremendous tune, one of the select few that in my opinion capture the essence of religious devotion without any trivializing.

As for the rest of the album, well, it doesn't quite measure up to the lofty standards of "Cristo Redentor," but there are plenty of nice moments and of course some fine performances from the aforementioned musicians as well as Dave Pike on vibraphone. "Beast of Burden" is a slowly shuffling, satisfying blues; "Elijah" is a joyous shout; and "Chant" finds the choir in robust full throat.

Byrd was, for me, never quite first-tier among the trumpeters of his era. On "A New Perspective" you won't find him reaching a another level technically. Stylistically, however, this album plows some new and intriguing ground both for Byrd and for Blue Note. Recommended.

A nice addition to a jazz collection.......1999-09-17

I found this cd rather enjoyable. Donald Byrd demonstrates his ablilties and musical tastes teamed with the rest of the personnel on the disc and shows that he can put a unique touch to the various tunes, from the smooth ballad Beast of Burden to the driving, almost tribal feel of The Black Disciple with the voices. Consider this something pleasant to add to your collection, perhaps not a masterpiece, but something worth having.

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