The Majesty of the Blues

Artist: Wynton Marsalis
Label: Sony
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 074644509120
EAN: 0074644509120
ASIN: B0000026SE

Release Date: 1989-05-26

Related Categories:

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| Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Listmania:

Triniman has no taste: 125 recordings from 1985-2005: 2
Essential Jazz in no order
Venture into Jazz & Blues (for aspirants)
Jazz de los ochenta
...my d.n.a. samples...

Tracks:

The Majesty Of The Blues (The Puheeman Strut)
Hickory Dickory Dock/The New Orleans Function
The Death Of Jazz
Premature Autopsies (Sermon)
Oh, But On The Third Day (Happy Feet Blues)

Similar Items:

Uptown Ruler: Soul Gestures in Southern Blue, Vol. 2
Thick in the South: Soul Gestures in Southern Blue, Vol. 1
Standard Time, Vol. 4: Marsalis Plays Monk
Standard Time, Vol.5: The Midnight Blues
Black Codes (From the Underground)

Customer Reviews:

A NEW ORLEANS BURIAL.......2006-11-22

keep coming away with the picture in my mind of a burial ceremony New Orleans style. This is probably as close to "Dixieland" music as Marsalis will ever come; but in any event this disc grounds itself in the so-called "Marsalis Doctrine" of jazz. The first being is that only acoustic instruments are used. This will be pleasing to many and I have to admit I come close to being won over to this point of view. Marsalis is so good that electric instruments are seemingly not needed for excellent jazz. But we are talking Marsalis here. HE doesn't need them; but there is a lot of excellent "electric" jazz out there in spite of what Marsalis says. The second doctrine is that jazz is most authentically rooted in the "blues". On this, I have to say old Wynton has something here. Jazz musician in Europe are bound to disagree; but jazz is an American art form and absent the "blues" the music ends up being "New Age". Nothing wrong with that; but it is like the difference between beef and pork--sure they are both meat but the taste and flavor is different. Unfortunately, this disc also has Marsalis' third doctrine as a "planted axiom". Marsalis believes only black musicians are capable of playing jazz--white (or Asian or Indian for that matter) do not have the "inner life" to create genuine jazz. As inspiring as "The Sermon" is on this disc, if you listen critically, this is what is being said and alluded to. Non-black musicians are "killing" jazz--but in spite of attempts to strangle it, authentic jazz musicians are still around to keep it alive. "The Duke is on the eternal road tour--keeping the art alive."

Thus musically, we have the "wake", the "funeral procession", the words of committal (complete with the "minister" shouting "the child is not dead"), and the glorious celebration of resurrection.

On repeated listening, the parts are excellent but the "whole" add up to one irritation. By all means, give it a listen. The first couple of playings are quite thrilling. But put it away before the magic wears off.

Frankly, I would have you listen to just about any one of Marsalis' STANDARD TIME recordings before this. Turn to those for the full Marsalis art. They stand head and shoulders above THE MAJESTY OF THE BLUES.

If the sermon does'nt inspire you..........2006-05-24

Listen to it in a few years and watch what happens. I was 20 years old and in my third year of college the first time I heard the sermon. I originally thought it long, preachy and campy. For some reason though, the words "...you better check those autopsies..." stuck with me. Well into my thirties, I bought the album just for the sermon. Little did I know the rest of the album is a masterpiece. If you believe passion in your workplace is gone (save for you) this is your album. If you believe true art is dead, this album is proof of the antithesis. If you wonder what your higher purpose is, this album can be a conduit to celestial comfort.

Majestic Noble Inclination.......2005-07-09

I got the cassette befoe the album was released when I was a college DJ. I've just bid farewell to the last shred of tape from playing it so long and so often. The entire piece, particularly the sermon, is a meditation. The sermon puts voice to that which many feel but can not find the way to put into words. Preachy? Yes, but that's what sermons are. At the sermon's core is the truth that in many ways indigenous music forms (jazz, blues) are dying and there are some who are blissfully ignorant or joyously celebrating their demise. But as the sermon says, 'beware of premature autopsies.' As one felow reviewer stated, this disk should be mandarory in all art appreciation classes. Get this disc if for nothing else the sermon. The other tracks are equally evocotive and showcase Wynton's creative genious.

The SERMON is alchemy.......2005-02-10

The sermon is amazing and inspirational. It speaks eloquently of what any musician or artist know to be true. Either you get it or you don't..it's just that simple.
The sermon should be played in every music class in every school in this country. REPEATEDLY- until the message begins to get through that music- and the creation of it- IS and always will be a gift. The limosines and bling mean NOTHING.There is no way to bottle spirit or soul.
The only thing I would add is the quote:
THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE COST OF EVERYTHING,BUT THE WORTH OF NOTHING.
Amen.

Exciting Album - Dont' Believe the Hype.......2003-03-01

This album has some fantastic, and often surprising, music on it. It also has a partly spoken-word piece that apparently is difficult for listeners unaccustomed to the provocative politic ground that spoken-word inhabits. But for those who are more interested in good music than political censorship, this album has a lot to offer. Don't believe those who say that one track prevents a CD from being worthwhile. You'd be missing some truly exciting jazz.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Step to Me ~ Mantronix

Blue Jays ~ Justin Hayward , and John Lodge

The Memphis 1969 Anthology: Suspicious Minds ~ Elvis Presley

Tales From The Green Sofa

Psychocult ~ The Merry Thoughts

Dirty Mind

Acrostichon

In the Falling Dark ~ Bruce Cockburn

Deep in the Game ~ Hemp

High Rollers ~ Father MC