Joshua REDMAN - Wish 1993

Joshua REDMAN - Wish 1993
Label: Warner Bros
Recorded at Power Station and live at The Village Vanguard, New York

Jazz

This review is from: Wish (Audio CD)
This collection is infectious!! After playing it not-stop for months I still hear new notes, chords, and tones. The opening cut "Turnaround" draws you right into what will become a cd that will always remain on your changer. While all of the musicians are very accomplished, the pairing of Joshua Redman & Pat Metheny is a match made in jazz heaven! "Soul Dance" is very fine and subtly interwoven on various levels. "Whittlin" is red hot! Every cut is brilliant and stands on its own. You simply must experience Joshua Redman's astounding talent and musical depth. Beware! Only for those who can appreciate the sophisticated complexities of jazz! This cd is a good place to start.
By Beverly Praiswater.
**
I became a Joshua Redman fanatic after hearing this album back in 1993 during my freshman year of college. Mind you, I had never previously heard his self-titled debut, nor any work from his superb, legendary sidemen of Metheny, Haden, and Higgins, so I entered this listening experience with no expectations. (Actually, I was kind of a jazz novice at the time and I was just snatching up anything of note.) I bought this album strictly off of the admonition of a glowing review from Jazztimes magazine and was so impressed that I began singing praises about Redman to anybody I came in contact with who expressed an interest in jazz.
Although in the presence of greatness with the aforementioned rhythm section, Redman holds his own and still manages to lead the way. Truth be told, Joshua pushes the veterans to keep up with him instead of the other way around, as his melodic "duels" (not duets) with Metheny attest. Haden and Higgins nail the time beautifully. Redman's tone, technique, and lyrical phrasings are all exquisite, but what I admire the most about this album is his expression of EMOTION, which is an attribute that is sorely missing in "post-bop, neo-jazz." After all, jazz is still "soul music" rooted in the blues.
Joshua was still meshing out his own identity in this his sophmore effort, so comparisons can be made with Rollins or Coltrane, which speaks more of his ambitious musings and wonderful technical displays than merely a critique of mimicry. By the time he carved his niche on his later efforts, however, the emotional sensitivity and improvisational excursions he exhibited here seemed to have dissipated, which is why "Wish" is still head and shoulders, his best effort thus far.
By  Kory J. Green.
**
To me, Redman is one of the more impressive young tenor players in recent memory.
His first record, a 1993 self-titled release, was a wonder. Even as he gripped the horn and took off into an improvisation, there was sure-footed instinct for melody.
Young Redman appeared to be something like a warmer, more tuneful Sonny Rollins.
Check that: "Wish," Warner Bros., released later that same year and featuring guitarist Pat Metheny, rips that hypothesis to shreads. (The title track is a tune from "Joshua Redman," included here in a version done live at the Village Vanguard.)
This recording is something like Redman's degree in Ornette-thology. Also sitting in are thumpers Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins on bass and drums. They, along with Metheny, have all been associated with Ornette Coleman over the years.
"Wish" even blasts off with Coleman's composition "Turnaround."
Here's where it really gets weird. Joshua's father Dewey (like his son, a saxophonist) played with Coleman. Dewey was also on Metheny's great "80/81" release on ECM ... which featured a version of Coleman's composition "Turnaround."
Metheny, in fact, contributes much toward making "Wish" what it was: A bold new direction of Redman.
Redman seemed to have emerged already assured, and with his own voice. "Wish" proved that wasn't entirely true -- that Redman could still be taken to new plateaus when he's roughed up by a great backing group.
By Nick DERISO.
**
Joshua Redman- Tenor saxophone
Pat Metheny- Acoustic & electric guitars
Charlie Haden- Acoustic bass
Billy Higgins- Drums
**
01.Turnaround Coleman 6:24
02.Soul Dance Redman 6:34
03.Make Sure You're Sure Wonder 5:24
04.The Deserving Many Redman 5:39
05.We Had a Sister Metheny 5:46
06.Moose the Mooche Parker 3:32
07.Tears in Heaven Clapton, Jennings 3:21
08.Whittlin' Metheny 5:21
09.Wish [live] Redman 7:26
10.Blues for Pat [live] Haden 12:08
**
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