Double Bass Esperanza Spalding - Chamber Music Society

[Bruce Lindfield]

So...this album has been all over the media here and it is very unusual for a Double Bass player leading their own Jazz/Classical crossover to be the Jazz magazine's favourite?

OK this album is about vocals and string quartet arrangments, with songs and scat singing to the fore - but isn't it nice that we have a real DB player getting headlines?

I suppose apart from wondering what people think about this album, I was wondering how our community of bass players rate the DB playing - so I do like the very acoustic sound that is kind of "organic" and woody and the fact that there are some solos, but nothing flashy - no attempt to impress with virtuosity for its own sake?

I am undecided about whether some of the tunes are memorable or substantial enough - but I like the concept and the overall sound - where acoustic instruments are captured in great detail due to the sparseness and trasnsparency of the arrengments.

I think this is an interesting album that is quite personal and dare I say "female" in nature? I have listened a few times and the sound seduces me away from thinking objectively about the content - so I wondered what others think about it, who have listened?

 

[Shakin-Slim]

I've yet to hear it and cannot wait until I do! All I know is her first album is fantastic and her work with Joe Lovano's Us Five is even better

 

[theNoseBleedKid]

I bought it and I'm a little disappointed.

Esperanza's first album is really exciting and interesting, for me. A lot going on and all of it interesting.

This album is a little, stiff and hard to follow. I mean I can hum along or enjoy dozens of parts of the first album, but Chamber Music? Apart from one line I'm stumped. A lot of the arrangements sound, almost, amateur, almost unsynchronised and 'off' - there's rarely a beautiful meld of sounds together as one.

 

[Leeners]

If you haven't heard Bob Edward's recent interview of her on NPR, you should check it out. There is a lot of discussion about this album!

 

[FatAndy]

I was ok with Junjo, but "Esperanza" is one of the best jazz albums I have ever heard, bit disappointed that this latest album is chamber music, but what a gutsy thing to do. I'm buying it.

 

[dirtdog792]

i've been trying to put people on to her for the last 3yrs and am glad she is finally getting some main stream attention. I like the concept of her latest album but, it's not my favorite. "Esperanza" is pure genius and is my absolute favorite album of hers. The real treat is seeing her live. I've never seen a "jazz" artist that engages the audience like a pop artist, but is completely aware of everything going on musically. She's a beast.

 

[kerrycares]

i've been trying to put people on to her for the last 3yrs and am glad she is finally getting some main stream attention. I like the concept of her latest album but, it's not my favorite. "Esperanza" is pure genius and is my absolute favorite album of hers. The real treat is seeing her live. I've never seen a "jazz" artist that engages the audience like a pop artist, but is completely aware of everything going on musically. She's a beast.

i agree, i saw her last night in Detroit and she rented my bass.
i enjoyed the music,the performance and the time she spent talking with me about her views on basses. i had never seen her before and was surprised at how good she is.it was creative and a real treat. thank God the soundman got the acoustics right. afterwards she thanked me again for use of my bass. i'm a new fan!

 

[pica]

My brother gave me her CD because he put it on his computer and I was very disappointed. After hearing all the hype I was very excited to hear it. I love jazz but her style was just not for me. I haven't heard any of her other stuff though.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

So that was about 6 months ago that I posted this thread and I now think the album is a bit insubstantial and unmemorable - although it has a lovely acoustic sound.

I haven't been inspired to put it on much - which is a shame as this seemed to be where her career was peaking..?

It's also a shame as it's nice to see DB players doing well and getting into the spotlight.

 

[Tampabass]

It may be a peak in terms of widespread attention (Grammy, etc.), but it's clear that she has a lot to give, as a player, composer, and singer. I'd expect there are great things to come.

 

[Loves2Jam]

I bought it and think its great. Never like anything I've quite heard before. She is insanely talented.

 

[damonsmith]

So that was about 6 months ago that I posted this thread and I now think the album is a bit insubstantial and unmemorable - although it has a lovely acoustic sound.

I haven't been inspired to put it on much - which is a shame as this seemed to be where her career was peaking..?

It's also a shame as it's nice to see DB players doing well and getting into the spotlight.

I agree. I think the whole thing is great, too. But I think, at least at Talk Bass, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that there is a lot more going on twith her than music and that there are a lot more interesting players who have been at it a lot longer that we can talk about here.

While I wouldn't be for a backlash, this sort of thing isn't reasonable, either:

I was ok with Junjo, but "Esperanza" is one of the best jazz albums I have ever heard

It might be time to spend an afternoon listening to Ellington and Mingus before saying something like that!

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Yes - Dave Holland is doing some great stuff now - I enjoyed his record with a Flamenco legend. But there is a lot more great stuff out there and perspective is important.

 

[Stick_Player]

I think she's good.

But without the packaging... we'd not be hearing about her at this level.

Even in the current "jazzbo scene" (or any non-pop music, for that matter), image is important - very important.