Footsteps of Our Fathers

Amazon.com
Branford, the oldest and most exploratory of the Marsalis brothers, launches his new label with his most ambitious recording to date. He isn't just invoking the giants of modern tenor sax, he's playing their most demanding extended compositions--Sonny Rollins's "Freedom Suite" and John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." Marsalis rises to the challenge handily. "Freedom Suite" is all rhythmic nuance and kinetic blues, sly wit and subtle swing, played with just bass and drums, as was the original. Marsalis previously recorded "A Love Supreme" in 1994 on Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool, but the results are far superior here, as he's grown into the emotional dimensions of Coltrane's suite. The extended solo on "Resolution," and the even more intense exploration of "Pursuance," mark high points among Marsalis's recordings. This is just as much an achievement for his remarkable band, with solid support from pianist Joey Calderazzo and bassist Eric Revis, and, above all, the consistently fresh and sometimes explosive drumming of Jeff "Tain" Watts. Ornette Coleman's "Giggin'" and John Lewis's "Concorde" bookend the major works. --Stuart Broomer

Footsteps of Our Fathers,Branford Marsalis,Branford Marsalis Quartet,Marsalis Music,Avant-Garde Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Modal Music,Pop,Post-Bop

Average customer rating:

A good controversy

Spell bound - This is Music!

strong playing as usual but...

Branford is a genius, and this recording show it

Great

Footsteps of Our Fathers
Branford Marsalis , and Branford Marsalis Quartet
Manufacturer: Marsalis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006BHAN
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

Giggin' - Ornette Coleman
The Freedom Suite - Sonny Rollins: Movement I
Movement II
Movement III
Movement IV
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane: I - Acknowledgement
II - Resolution
III - Pursuance
IV - Psalm
Concorde - John Lewis

Amazon.com

Branford, the oldest and most exploratory of the Marsalis brothers, launches his new label with his most ambitious recording to date. He isn't just invoking the giants of modern tenor sax, he's playing their most demanding extended compositions--Sonny Rollins's "Freedom Suite" and John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." Marsalis rises to the challenge handily. "Freedom Suite" is all rhythmic nuance and kinetic blues, sly wit and subtle swing, played with just bass and drums, as was the original. Marsalis previously recorded "A Love Supreme" in 1994 on Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool, but the results are far superior here, as he's grown into the emotional dimensions of Coltrane's suite. The extended solo on "Resolution," and the even more intense exploration of "Pursuance," mark high points among Marsalis's recordings. This is just as much an achievement for his remarkable band, with solid support from pianist Joey Calderazzo and bassist Eric Revis, and, above all, the consistently fresh and sometimes explosive drumming of Jeff "Tain" Watts. Ornette Coleman's "Giggin'" and John Lewis's "Concorde" bookend the major works. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

A good controversy.......2007-03-14

I think controversies are good to music, and especially to jazz, where the conroversy can be included in the music itself.
I was attracted to this cd mainly because of the controversy sorrounding the Marsalis brothers. After listening closely to the music, I can see that both sides of the controversy have their truths.
On the positive side, it is clear that Marsalis is a wonderful student of the tradition of jazz, and that he has the deepest respect for the giants - Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane and John lewis - whose music he chose to play here. I personally share his love for tradition, and I believe that this is one of the most important traditions we can draw on today. His playing does not intend to compete with his heroes - he stays fairly close to their interpretations and approach. Branford, like his brother, is a wonderful player whose seriousness about his craft should be applauded.
On the less positive side - there is one essential feature in Colman, Rollins and Coltrane which is totally lacking in Marsalis - URGENCY. Despite what is written in the (wonderful) liner notes, Marsalis does not play as if the struggle continues. The emotional urgency which characterized his heroes (especially Trane but the others as well) is for me the number one reason for listening to them and for loving them. The fragileness of Coltrane, the dry humor in Rollins, the total individuality of Coleman - these do not have their match in Branford.
I have heard urgency in the playing of today's musicians - Steve Coleman, David S Ware, James Carter, Greg Osby, and Joshua Redman - so it is not something lost with the times. And this accounts for the missing fifth star of this very good cd.

Spell bound - This is Music!.......2004-06-14

Branford send me into outter space with this recording. What fab musicianship. Almost no one swings as hard as this band and as hard as Branford himself.

The version of Coltrane's "A love supreme" just takes it to the next level. I actually enjoy his version better than the original, although I can respect Coltrane for the composition for sure...

Each member of this quartet is stunning and I would highly recommend this CD...

strong playing as usual but..........2003-02-01

I'd have to agree with most of everyone's remarks but for one critical issue: the recording itself. Bass and drums are so pumped throughout the playing that shamefully, it almost becomes a struggle to hear the fine playing of Marsalis and Calderazzo- let's face it, though this is a quartet, they represent the polyphonic voices in the unit (NOT to slight Watts and Revis, but they are too upront in the mix at the expense of sax and piano). This time the fault lies with the production. A pity, because with the slightest adjustment on the board this could all have been avoided. Still, it kicks with a variety of moods and clear reverence for the masters of the genre, who Marsalis is assuredly and rapidly joining through his output and devotion to pure jazz.

Branford is a genius, and this recording show it.......2003-01-15

This is an excellent recording. I would like to see a live version on a DVD, similar to Sting's "All This Time." I listened to Footsteps on the bus home from work and when I closed my eyes, I imagined myself in a Paris Jazz club. Having seen Branford perform with his Buckshot LeFonque group, I am completely hooked to his musical genius.
[edit]
This is now the most played album on my iPod. "A Love Supreme" is truly incredible. I have not heard the original, but I am back to Amazon to add it to my cart. The liner notes are very interesting, giving background info on the selections and original artists. Fantastic purchase. [/edit]

Great.......2002-11-27

This CD is great to listen to, not only does it give a fresh voice to these pieces but somehow manages to reinvent them at the same time. Dare I say that I actually prefer this "Love Supreme" to the original? Well, not exactly, but it is quite good and Branford's playing is incredible...although I was a little dissapointed in the piano solos as I felt they just did not match Branford's level. Otherwise, the bass player keeps things moving along, and on the "Interlude" of the Freedom Suite tracks he lays down a very sweet groove.

Tracks:

Giggin'
Freedom Suite: Movement 1
Freedom Suite: Interlude
Freedom Suite: Movement 2
Freedom Suite: Movement 3
Love Supreme, Pt. 1: Acknowledgement
Love Supreme, Pt. 2: Resolution
Love Supreme, Pt. 3: Pursuance
Love Supreme, Pt. 4: Psalm
Concorde

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