Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: JazzXChange
Label: EMI Records
Release: 2009
Length: 39:57
Rating: 4/5
JazzXChange is a project of established, seasoned international jazz musicians who came together on “Walk Tall” to honor the life and work of the immortal Joe Zawinul.
Zawinul (who left us for good on September 11, 2007) was one of the most influential figures in jazz over the last forty years. A brilliant keyboardist, composer, and stylistic and instrumental innovator, he’s etched into the hearts of most jazz fans above all as a member of the jazz fusion legends Weather Report, with whom he cut a whole heap of excellent albums. What often gets forgotten is that he was already shining as a masterful keyboardist in his early years, playing with Cannonball Adderley and Dinah Washington, before he broke through worldwide in the service of the eternal innovator Miles Davis. His later, post-Weather Report years, when he created with his own band Zawinul Syndicate, also yielded a string of impressive works and put Joe’s lifelong love of world music elements front and center.
On “Walk Tall,” JazzXChange decided to honor Zawinul by performing some of his earlier compositions, dating back to the days when he played with Cannonball Adderley. You can feel throughout the individual tracks that they had a blast with their interpretations, let loose, and played them with a fresh approach, without neglecting the original spirit that graced these early-sixties jazz classics. It’s sometimes downright incredible how Zawinul’s legacy from his early years still sounds fresh and witty after more than four decades, which is just one more proof of his visionary approach as a composer and instrumentalist. Right from his musical beginnings, Joe convincingly combined musical elements that most people back then would never have imagined could blend into a convincing harmony. He always nurtured a keen sense of rhythm and blues, and he held on to it right up until the nineties, when his creative path was cut short far too soon.
JazzXChange take a convincing stroll through some of the more interesting instrumentals from the Adderley era, while “Country Preacher” and the mega hit “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” the one that first earned Joe worldwide fame, feature the vocals of guest singer Edo Zanki. He brings an indispensable pinch of soul. On individual tracks, JazzXChange used all the traditional jazz instruments that ruled the original versions, but they took a bit of liberty with Hammond organs, a Fender Rhodes synthesizer, and electric guitar, the domain of Stephen Housden (Little River Band). The latter especially adds a special dimension to the traditional jazz compositions, one that isn’t far from the electrified fusion Zawinul “caught” after working with Miles Davis.
“Walk Tall” is a really lovely tribute to a jazz legend whose incredibly rich musical legacy will live forever. His early creative period is presented in a way that stays faithful to the original spirit of the compositions while playing them with a fresh approach. Someone might miss interpretations of Joe’s musical masterpieces from later years, but on the other hand, it’s nice to see the spotlight on the chapter of his career that best reflects his musical roots. “Walk Tall” is the phrase that captures Zawinul’s musical legacy in the best possible way. JazzXChange have proven they understand the essence of his musical philosophy very well, paying fitting tribute to this jazz giant. Still, the undeniable fact remains that the best way to honor Uncle Joe’s legacy is still to put on an album from his rich treasury of masterpieces.
Lineup
Thomas Siffling – trumpet, horn
Olaf Schönborn – saxophone
Stephen Housden – guitar
Werner Seifert – Hammond organs, Fender Rhodes synthesizer, wurlitzer, piano
Thomas Heidepriem – bass guitar
Oliver Strauch – drums
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Edo Zanki – vocals on “Mercy Mercy Mercy” & “Country Preacher”
Production
Werner G. Seifert
Tracklist
1. One for Newk
2. Money in the pocket
3. Walk Tall
4. Mercy Mercy Mercy
5. Mystify
6. Scotch & Water
7. Country Preacher
8. Sticks
