Delfeayo Marsalis, Branford's brother and the producer of this record, provides such studied liner notes you would think he was lecturing a class of Mensa students majoring in history and musicology. Such serious verbiage is usually reserved for the other Marsalis brother, Wynton. We all know that Branford is the fun one. After all, Branford co-starred in Throw Momma From the Train and kidded around with Jay Leno every evening when he led the Tonight Show band. But appearances can be deceiving. Branford has always been a serious musician above and beyond jazz and very capable of a broad range of expression, which has included a fair share of classical music.
"The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born" is not classical music. It is jazz. But there is no joviality in its playing. It is a somber ballad with a serious intent, and requires serious attention from the listener. Delfeayo writes that the tune has a "…free, yet structured harmony." I suppose that is an apt description. At its midpoint, Marsalis has a long expressive solo that builds in momentum. During his deep exploration on soprano sax, Branford sounds very much like Coltrane. This is not "sit back and relax" music.
By Walter Kolosky.
**
If you like good jazz "in the tradition," this is a must for any jazz collector. "Roused About" has a great monkish feel to it (named after one of Monk's tenor players). "The Beautyful Ones" is a sublime ballad, and reminds me of Coltrane's meditative pieces like "Alabama"-- but very "operatic" in some sense. The musical approach is largely free, and emotionally tense, but not necessarily atonal (think 60's Miles Davis, not Ornette Coleman). If you are into Kenny G, don't buy this album **THIS IS REAL JAZZ** not instrumental pop!
By Joshua Sellers.
**
Branford Marsalis- Saxophone
Delfeayo Marsalis- Saxophone
Robert Hurst- Bass
Jeff "Tain" Watts - Drums
Wynton Marsalis- Trumpet
Courtney Pine- Tenor Saxophone
**
01. Roused About 8:08
02. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born 13:42
03. Xavier's Lair 8:54
04. Cain and Abel 7:34
05. Citizen Tain 8:04
06. Gilligan's Isle 10:45
07. Dewey Baby 9:08
08. Beat's Remark 12:47
**
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