Ralph Lalama - The Audience

[GA Russell]

Tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama has been a featured soloist with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra for 25 years, and a member of Joe Lovano's Nonet since its beginning in 1999. He now has a new album out called The Audience.

It's a quartet record, with sax, elec. guitar, bass and drums.

Lalama's playing is 67% Atlantic Coltrane and 33% Riverside Sonny Rollins. I don't hear much original from him on this album. But what makes the album interesting is the juxtaposition of the sax with the rhythm section. Thanks to the guitar work of John Hart, the rhythm section produces the mellow vibe of 50s West Coast jazz.

It's akin to Coltrane recording with Johnny Smith, or Sonny recording with Howard Roberts.

If it comes up on lala I'll post again to let you know. Definitely worth hearing for its unusual sound.

[John Tapscott]

I have his earlier CD on Mighty Quinn with the same personnel, called Energy Fields. It's a good one too. Always enjoyed Ralph with the Vanguard Jazz Orch. and with Danny D'Imperio's groups.

[Larry Kart]

... Thanks to the guitar work of John Hart, the rhythm section produces the mellow vibe of 50s West Coast jazz....

The same rhythm section on "Energy Fields" is anything but '50s West Coast mellow to my ears; rather, it's cooking and thrashing, with drummer Joe Corsello, as Michael Cuscuna says in the liner notes, in the vein of Tony Williams and Joe Chambers (I'd add Billy Hart).

[Chuck Nessa]

What Larry said - I was about to post a similar reaction.

[Big Wheel]

... Thanks to the guitar work of John Hart, the rhythm section produces the mellow vibe of 50s West Coast jazz....

The same rhythm section on "Energy Fields" is anything but '50s West Coast mellow to my ears; rather, it's cooking and thrashing, with drummer Joe Corsello, as Michael Cuscuna says in the liner notes, in the vein of Tony Williams and Joe Chambers (I'd add Billy Hart).

Huh, that's interesting. I've met Corsello and heard him play with pianist Joyce DiCamillo and never would have guessed that he'd be into that bag.

[GA Russell]

... Thanks to the guitar work of John Hart, the rhythm section produces the mellow vibe of 50s West Coast jazz....

...it's cooking and thrashing...

Not on this album. Interesting to learn of the difference between the two albums. I hope that this one shows up on lala next week so that everyone can hear what I mean.

[Larry Kart]

... Thanks to the guitar work of John Hart, the rhythm section produces the mellow vibe of 50s West Coast jazz....

The same rhythm section on "Energy Fields" is anything but '50s West Coast mellow to my ears; rather, it's cooking and thrashing, with drummer Joe Corsello, as Michael Cuscuna says in the liner notes, in the vein of Tony Williams and Joe Chambers (I'd add Billy Hart).

Huh, that's interesting. I've met Corsello and heard him play with pianist Joyce DiCamillo and never would have guessed that he'd be into that bag.

On Corsello's MySpace site:

http://www.myspace.com/joecorsellodrummer

there are links to several tracks ("Just in Time" from "Energy Fields," "Loose One, Gain One" from "Carmen Leggio Quartet") where he's playing with a good deal of intensity.

He also lists his influences as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Bill Stewart, Billy Hart, Duduka Da Fonseca, Victor Lewis, Kenny Washington, Adam Nusbaum, Alan Dawson.

[Bluerein]

Let me add that this is indeed a great "mainstream" jazz record. Nice tunes, good feel and great playing from all. I really like the guitar work of Hart (underrated, anyone???).

Again thanks must go to Jerry Roche of Mighty Quinn to stick his neck out and brings this cd to us in this market. Let's support him and buy this (and other) record from his growing list of real gemms!!!

(I'm not related or financially involved with Mighty Quinn in case you wonder....)