Footprints Live! [Live]

Amazon.com
The only thing more astonishing than the originality and complexity of tenor saxophonist-composer Wayne Shorter's music is that this CD is his first live recording as a leader. Captured in Europe in the summer of 2001, Shorter's compositions are reinvented by Danilo Perez's sterling pianisms, John Patitucci's rock-steady bass lines, and drummer Brian Blade's stunning synthesis of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams' styles. "Masquelero," "Sanctuary," and the hypnotic "Footprints" are resurrected from his stint in Miles Davis's '60s combos. "Go," the African-derived "Juju," and Shorter's ingenious arrangement of Jean Sibelius's "Valse Triste" come from his Blue Note LPs of the same era. The moody melodicisms of "Atlantis" and the Afro-Eurasian evocations of "Aung San Suu Kyi," named for the Burmese political activist, are from Shorter recordings from 1985 and 1997. Simply put, Wayne Shorter is a jazz god, and these are his sacred sonic scriptures. Eugene Holley Jr.

Tracks:

Sanctuary
Masquelero
Valse Triste
Go
Aung San Suu Kyi
Footprints
Atlantis
JuJu

Amazon.com

The only thing more astonishing than the originality and complexity of tenor saxophonist-composer Wayne Shorter's music is that this CD is his first live recording as a leader. Captured in Europe in the summer of 2001, Shorter's compositions are reinvented by Danilo Perez's sterling pianisms, John Patitucci's rock-steady bass lines, and drummer Brian Blade's stunning synthesis of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams' styles. "Masquelero," "Sanctuary," and the hypnotic "Footprints" are resurrected from his stint in Miles Davis's '60s combos. "Go," the African-derived "Juju," and Shorter's ingenious arrangement of Jean Sibelius's "Valse Triste" come from his Blue Note LPs of the same era. The moody melodicisms of "Atlantis" and the Afro-Eurasian evocations of "Aung San Suu Kyi," named for the Burmese political activist, are from Shorter recordings from 1985 and 1997. Simply put, Wayne Shorter is a jazz god, and these are his sacred sonic scriptures. Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

My favourite Wayne Shorter.......2005-04-17

'Footprints Live!' holds a special place in my heart. I have been a Shorter fan for some time now, and am a big fan of his Blue Note albums, his Miles albums, his Jazz Messengers albums, and 'Alegria'. On 3rd March 2005, I went to see this quartet here in Dublin. I bought 'Footprints Live!' in the store at the door, for the very purpose of at least reliving the show a little bit at home. The show was incredible, and very different to this CD, but this CD is quite spectacular.

The ability of all four members of this band to suddenly inject a burst of energy is the most catching element. Blade is, in my opinion, the best of the four at this very task. Just listen to the end of 'Masqualero', in which the other three instruments cut out to leave Blade with a simple cymbal pattern for a few beats, upon which Danilo Perez returns with a vamp to die for, under which Blade lets loose again.

I found Perez to be the most difficult of the quartet to enjoy, simple because I found his playing to be a little bit stiff. But my feelings on that matter quickly changed, as I started to listen to the interaction between himself and Blade. In my opinion, Perez is a little bit lacking in harmonic creativity at times, but he makes excellent use of some otherwise stunning chops, and an excellent rhythmic creativity.

Out of the three musicians backing Shorter, John Patitucci has covered the most ground, having played with such greats as Chick Corea and Alan Pasqua since the 80s. He not only manages to shine on an electric bass, but also manages to equal those talents on an upright bass. To think that the finest interaction is between Blade and Perez would be a mistake, as Patitucci may well be what gels them together.

I recommend this CD to you because it is half magic, and half music, as many have stated.

ALL SIMMER--NO BOIL.......2005-04-07

Check out the booklet that accompanies this CD. Shorter's image is caught sometimes in full, sometimes distorted, and sometimes lonely partially. In many ways this is a perfect metaphor for this album. Shorter's masterpieces from the past are presented as if turned inside out and amusing things are found. The arrangements tend to be spare and having a lot of sonic space between the instruments. This leaves an almost "minimalist" impression except paying attention to detail reveals a lot of activity going on between the players.

This approach points to the problem I have with this album. Short periods of intense listening shows some brilliant playing and interplay. Unfortunately, across the entire length of the album my mind wandered. Shorter and company play as if they were a cluster of low-key volcanoes and I kept waiting someone to rip the top off and erupt. They never do.

This is likely to strike some as tasteful restraint. I am simply not convinced. There is no question Shorter is a jazz great whose reputation is secure musical history. Others will certainly disagree; but this strikes me a coasting.

The space of freedom and meaning.......2005-03-20

I heard this group live in Stockholm the other day, and this experience made me fully realize what this CD is about. Being primarily a classical and world music listener, I tend to get put off by jazz, being either too formal and predictable or too chaotic and meaningless. This music is in the perfect orbit. You still feel the gravity, beauty and order of the earth, but never plunge back into the predictable. Yet you are in the widened space, but never get disconnected and lost in entropy and meaningslessness. In a sense, my whole life as a listener has been in search of this place, and this CD is one of the few that takes me there, now that I've heard this music live.

Modern Jazz at its Finest.......2004-05-04

Wayne Shorter has always been able to flow from one stage to the next. This group now is an embarkment from where he was since he seldom played after his Weather Report days. To say it briefly, Wayne Shorter is back with vegence. His newly re-arranged and re-harmonized versions of a few of his old classics and some other classic tunes make this album extremely enjoyable. The sense of freedom and modal playing embellished the entire album. While this is a landmark album for Wayne, showing his return to all acoustic jazz, this is a landmark album in general in jazz. Groups like Dave Holland are also in this trend in the sense that they rely heavily on interplay and constant improvisation...the root and soul of jazz. Pick this one up, one of the finest tenor/soprano players alive with a fresh new group.

SICK IMPROVISATION!.......2004-04-07

i dont have this album, but i just saw them in concert (this band) and it blew my mind how good they were! i was laughing the whole time it was so good! Pattitcci is amazing as well as shorter of course! People (old geezers) were walking out b/c it wasn't "jazzy enough". This is hip music not to be messed with and this is a "supergroup" in jazz today. No one is better than these guys!

Average customer rating:

Footprints in the Poi

Manufacturer: Kealia Farms
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Hawaii | Pacific Islands | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000J2EQBS
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Average customer rating:

Footprints: Live
Wayne Shorter
Manufacturer: Universal/Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000063KY9
Release Date: 2002-05-09

Tracks:

Sanctuary
Masquelero
Valse Triste
Go
Aung San Suu Kyi
Footprints
Atlantis
Juju
Chief Crazy Horse

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'crazy Horse'

Average customer rating:

Sneaker Live: Footprints in Japan
Sneaker
Manufacturer: Cool Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00019G1OO
Release Date: 2003-12-15

Tracks:

Get Up, Get Out
Voices
Jaymes
More Than Just The Two Of Us
Did You Order One
Before You
Never Get Over You
Pour It Out
I Can't Imagine
Mc
Don't Let Me In
Believe Me Tonight
Looking For Someone Like You
In Time

Album Details

Recorded Live in Japan, in September of 1982.

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