Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY.
Unknown Contributor Role: Robert Ascroft.
Arranger: Joshua Redman.
Besides being one of the most high profile jazz musicians of his generation, saxophonist Joshua Redman is a truly adventurous spirit. TIMELESS TALES (FOR CHANGING TIMES) is a disc full of twists and turns not often found on projects by other young lions. Redman isn't afraid to make a radical revision to an established standard, as in his Latin romp on Gershwin's "Summertime," or to jump feet first into pop music like Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A- Changin'." In fact, he rides this stylistic fence continuously, switching back and forth from jazz classics like "Yesterdays" to Joni Mitchell's "I Had A King," or from "Love For Sale" to "Eleanor Rigby."
All of this is done with dramatic effect and is never flippant or tiresome. The improvisational interplay between Redman and his sidemen, including Brad Mehldau (piano), Larry Grenadier (bass) and Brian Blade (drums), is at an extremely high level. It is to Redman's credit that he can juxtapose such diverse material and make it all come out as a cohesive whole. He presents his varied tastes to a wide audience while never losing sight of his traditional jazz sensibilities.
Professional Reviews
The Wire (1/99, pp.56-7) - "...Redman's versions of even the unlikeliest suspects...are surprisingly effective, working a pleasing fluidity into the structure....The band is impeccable..."
Timeless Tales is an odd mix of old and new: songs from George Gershwin and Cole Porter through to Bob Dylan and John Lennon.
With each song Redman applies his rich imagination to create something new and exciting. His approach makes even the old standards such as Summer Time sound new and attractive. There is plenty of room for Redman in my collection with his upbeat, hearty and buoyant tone. After all can’t listen to Coltrane all the time.
