James Carter - Out of Nowhere
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CD Details
Artist: James CarterEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-06-28
Music Label: Halfnote Records
Soundtracks:
- Out Of Nowhere
- Along Came Betty
- Highjack
- Song For Camille
- Little Red Rooster
- I Believe I Can Fly
Music reviews of Out of Nowhere
Music Review: For completists only
Rating: 3 Stars
While James Carter is tentatively still signed to Columbia Records, this live set recorded for Half Note Records at the Blue Note in NYC lacks the sort of programmatic set list that major labels seem so intent on saddling jazz artists with nowadays. This appears to be a fairly standard set list for Carter's organ trio; standards, ballads, blues, and pop songs all used as springboards for extended improvisation. "Out of Nowhere" is akin to a classic post-war blowing session and so lacks the sort of complex writing that most of Carter's generation seems intent on exploring. As such, it places him in a far more traditional context, content to play it loose and easy, unconcerned with modulated time signatures, intricate harmonies, and interweaving charts. Of course, it helps that he's a hell of a soloist. Proficient on his numerous horns at a level that sometimes seems super-human, Carter has at his disposal an arsenal of technique that puts most of his contemporaries to shame.
Ironically, Carter's greatest asset is also his greatest liability. In the studio, Carter's solos are obviously edited. The thematic concept albums that hamstring lesser artists often seem to help focus Carter's boundless spirit and enthusiasm. Without this sort of structure Carter just goes and goes and goes. Hearing this recent recording reminds me of having seen him live in the past, as he follows much the same pattern here.
Carter has a tendency to showboat live. This is a criticism often levied against him, unfortunately, somewhat justified. Although capable of an astonishing number of extended techniques and adept at a myriad of styles, he seems unwilling to edit himself in a live situation. Whether caught up in the moment or simply wanting to push himself further, each solo follows a similar pattern, with the same ferocity and humor that the previous one contained. Not bad for a tune or two, but for an entire set, it makes for a repetitive listen. Fortunately, on the opening ballad, the album's title track, Carter stays within the confines of the piece and delivers a sultry and subtle solo free of histrionics.
Carter's rhythm section is more than capable and is not as rigid as some of his previous sidemen have been. Legendary baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and Harmolodic guitarist James Blood Ulmer guest star on this freewheeling set. Ulmer contributes to two tracks. His solo on his terse, funky "Highjack" is a delightful blast of wah-wah inspired madness. Carter's baritone solo here begins somewhat restrained until Bluiett arrives and the two of them take their dovetailing solos out into the stratosphere, again and again. "Little Red Rooster" is played straight, as a short conventional blues and ultimately sounds like filler.
Bluiett contributes his own "Song for Camille," a beautiful ballad that is slightly reigned in and also helps drive along the unlikely cover of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." A simple exercise in repeated chord structures, the dueling baritones attempt to get air under this limp melody, only to have it coast on an undercurrent of repetition. Not all modern pop songs make for great jazz covers, and this is a case in point. Carter even pulls out his trademark percussive slap tongue on an unaccompanied duet with Bluiett towards the conclusion of the piece, but even that feels tired.
For Carter devotees, this will be an entertaining listen, especially for those unaccustomed to the man's unfettered live playing. On the next studio release hopefully someone will give Carter the same advice Miles once gave to Coltrane:
Coltrane asked Miles how he could bring his solos to a close, feeling that there were too many ideas bubbling up inside him: Miles's suggestion was "take the goddamn horn out of your mouth"...
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