(1995) Mal Waldron & Steve Lacy - The Mighty Warriors ****1/2

 

With: Steve Lacy (soprano saxophone), Mal Waldron (piano), Reggie Workman (bass), Andrew Cyrille (drums)
Record date: 30 september, 1995

I can't believe how happy I am being able to write something for my Mal Waldron blog again. Because that must mean there's a new recording out in the wild! That makes me want to thank Zev Feldman first as he seems to be the one responsible releasing another Mal Waldron release. It took a while but Mal finally seems to get some attention with the Grenoble Concert released two years ago and a Craft reissue of Mal 2. But this release really made my heart beat a little faster, and that's all thanks to the lineup. Mal and Steve Lacy haven't made any bad records together. But add one of the best possible rhythm sections behind them, and it can only be a success, right?

In 1995, Mal turned 70. He toured the world and recorded several albums during that tour in Japan and Europe. He collaborated with Jeanne Lee, Takeo Moriyama, Max Roach, and this group as well. At the Singer in Antwerp, he played a duet with Max Roach, which was later released on the Slam label: Music in the Mth Degree. An excellent live recording spanning 2 CDs. Mal was in top form during this tour. The duets with Takeo Moriyama are also essential, but strangely underrated (probably because they are difficult to obtain).

During the live concert on September 30, 1995, in Antwerp, the band chose a number of Waldron/Lacy classics and some lesser known compositions. The band kicks off with the wonderfully brisk 'What It Is'. It has been recorded by these gentlemen before, but with Eddie Moore on drums instead of Andrew Cyrille. Everything works in this combination: Mal producing dark heavy clusters, Reggie Workman dancing over them, and Lacy beautifully soloing on top. Cyrille ensures that everyone stays in their place. This is followed by another Waldron/Lacy classic: Monk's Epistrophy. Short but powerful: it seems more like an intermezzo, but one that dares to grab the listener's attention. Monk is in the blood of both Lacy and Waldron, coming out in different ways, but the combination with each other is sublime. Then comes a composition by Steve Lacy that has not been recorded by these two before. ‘Longing’ fully breathes the DNA of the soprano master. It has a similarly simple but enormously catchy theme as the compositions that came from Mal's wrist. CD 1 closes with 'Monk's Dream'. After a wonderful solo by Lacy, it's time for Waldron to shine again in simplicity. It's fantastic to hear how he can pay tribute to Monk, revive Monk without actually sounding like a false copy of him.

CD 2 starts with somewhat freer tones. Yet, at its core, it remains structured, and it's the interaction between the four that also makes Reggie Workman's composition a success. It yields the more intimate pieces of the concert, such as a delightful duet between Steve Lacy and Andrew Cyrille. Then comes an equally intense duet between Mal and Reggie Workman. In his own way, Mal announces his forthcoming ode to Cecil Taylor by seeking more freedom and then repeatedly returning to his own familiar style. This over 25-minute track is one of the most interesting of the entire recording. 

But this applies to the entire second part of the concert. The second suite starts with the always intense 'Snake Out', the namesake of the blog. I think I must have about 20 different versions of this from these gentlemen, but even in this one, I hear new things. It never gets boring! It encompasses all the chemistry these musicians can have: it's dark, warm, ominous, exciting, raw, energetic, playful. It's spending minutes on the edge of your seat. I feel jealous of everyone who was in the audience. The interaction between the musicians is from another planet. After a drum solo by Cyrille that leaves blisters on your buttocks or ears, the session is beautifully concluded in a sober style by Mal with his ode to Cecil Taylor. The entire composition has little to do with Mr. CT's free play, but a more beautiful tribute one cannot receive. It is a direct insight into Mal's musical soul: tearfully beautiful.

In summary, this is a delightful record that easily fulfills all expectations. The live atmosphere enhances the listening pleasure even more. It's wonderful to listen for an hour and a half to such legends, each with their own stubborn sound. They are all stubborn, but it all comes together beautifully. And that's how this band sounds like no other: together! Everyone gets plenty of room to solo: the record could just as easily be under Cyrille's or Workman's name.

Elemental has done a beautiful job with it. The booklet contains interviews and essays with, among others, Vijay Iyer, Evan Parker, Hiromi Waldron (Mal's last wife), Zev Feldman himself, Reggie Workman, and Andrew Cyrille. And more besides. The interviews with Workman and Cyrille are a joy to read. These men had so much fun playing together and touring together. You can see it in Tom Overberghe's beautiful documentary: the joy radiates from them. In all the stories, it's clear that there is a common image of Mal: he was calm, reserved, friendly, warm, and had a great sense of humor. Overall, the stories don't provide much new information. Adam Shatz's essay is a repetition of the stories that come up in every booklet about Mal. But it doesn't matter: Elemental has released a fantastic record. The sound is everything you'd expect from a live recording from the 1990s: delightful. Initially, I went for the CD version myself. I'll wait for the reviews before I go for the vinyl. In whichever format: this record belongs in every serious jazz collection. And if you're a fan of any of these four legends: then you must have it. This record gives you another good reason to watch Tom Overberghe's beautiful documentary. If you want to know what this record entails: skip to 8:38. What wonderful guys!