KOB Posted February 27, 2004 Report Posted February 27, 2004 (edited) Clarence Johnson III is a highly skilled technically proficient tenor sax player. Some, but not slavish, reference to Coltrane and shades of James Carter in delivery. His first CD release in 1998, Dedicated To You is quite good. The man is deep in debt to his soulful gospel roots which gives his playing a very passionate and sincere feel to it. This CD is definitely worth checking out. personally, I would love to hear more from Clarence Johnson. He's the real deal. Edited February 27, 2004 by KOB Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted February 27, 2004 Report Posted February 27, 2004 I'm going to move this to the Reccomendations Forum, where it belongs. Thanks for the mini-review, KOB. Quote
Chrome Posted February 27, 2004 Report Posted February 27, 2004 ... and he was great on the Mod Squad, too! Quote
JSngry Posted February 27, 2004 Report Posted February 27, 2004 I have this, and it's very interesting and enjoyable. Johnson plays in a happy, swinging style, and is not at all averse to using elements of "energy" playing as he goes along, keeping, I suppose, with the "quiet as its kept" connection between Gospel & Free Jazz in terms of "feeling the spirit". At first, it was a bit disorienting for me to hear such devices used so "innocently", but Johnson's sheer joyousness finally won me over. However much fun the record as a whole is, though, there is one certifiable masterpiece on here and that is a reading of "How Great Thou Art", the album's closer, which is about as emotionally devistating and profoundly felt a performance as I've ever heard out of ANYBODY, and that is a statement I do not make lightly, believe me. Recommended, and that last cut is truly essential. Quote
relyles Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 ... and he was great on the Mod Squad, too! Sorry, I could not ignore this bad joke any more. That was Clarence Williams III. Quote
relyles Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 This one had been in my unheard box for long time - probably over a year - and I finally listened to it a couple of times yesterday. Should not have waited so long. Its very good. I also hear similarities between Johnson and James Carter, but since I am guessing that they are roughly the same age I am going to assume that the similarities are a result of similar influences as opposed to one checking out the other. I think the elements of "energy" as described by Jim in Johsnon's playing within this straightahead context is what I found most appealing. Worth checking out. Quote
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