Terence Blanchard - Wandering Moon

Terence Blanchard emerged as a young lion in the 1980s along with his New Orleans homeboy and fellow trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis. Blanchard released several recordings with Donald Harrison and scored a few soundtracks, including Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues and Malcolm X. This splendid album follows his film music tribute, Jazz in Film, and returns Blanchard to the straight-ahead fold. With an even singing and swinging tone, Blanchard is backed by drummer Eric Harland, pianist Ed Simon, and newcomer alto and tenor saxophonists Brice Winston and Aaron Fletcher. The legendary bassist Dave Holland anchors the bottom and ensures the grooves. Blanchard's melodically compelling compositions range from the mystical moods of "Luna Viajera" and "Sweet's Dream" (an elegy to the late trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison) to the uptempo "Sidney's Song" (for clarinetist Sidney Bechet), which recall's Blanchard's days with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. On board for Wandering Moon is another Jazz Messenger alumnus, tenor saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who displays his Wayne Shorter/John Coltrane solo signature on the '60s-style tunes "If I Could, I Would," "My Only Thought of You," and "Joe & O." On the standard "I Thought About You," Blanchard takes center stage with an ebullient trumpet voice that rings from the silver screen to the bandstand. --Eugene Holley, Jr. Amazon.com

Wonderful

This is great. Only musicians of this caliber could explore Blanchard's compositions to this extent without diverging too far to miss the intent of each tune. The lone naysayer's soul needs reviving in their comment on emotional content as this is all emotion from head to solo. Only one who is truly oblivious to an entire spectrum of existence could suggest there is no emotion in these performances. Don't think, just listen and enjoy. And to the naysayer, there is more to life than just Hans Zimmer. May 3, 2005

Ignore 1 star review

Ignore the 1 star reviewer. Jazz obviously isn't a mainstay of their musical palette and you have to take their opinion in that light. This person was looking for something they listened to on a movie soundtrack and so was disappointed to hear the real thing - duh. I too was in that state of ignorance once so I shouldn't criticize too much. Developing a taste for jazz, like fine wine, is something comes with time and can't be rushed. Buy this CD, it is simply brilliant and someday the critic will become the fan. May 3, 2005

Silver Screen, Golden Sounds

It's no surprise Blanchard has scored a movie or two - his approach to both his trumpet and his arrangements is cinematic and evocative. He combines this with a tone that can swing from knife-sharp to husky in the space of a measure. Joined buy master bassist Dave Holland and varsity trumpeter Branford Marsalis, the record is a journey that starts mysteriously, goes frenetic and resolves with a heartbreaking version of "I Thought About You". May 19, 2002

Absolutely Outstanding Recording

This is a stellar jazz recording. One of Terence's best. His creativity as well as musicianship are intact. The musicians are all excellent. Especially Edward Simon on piano and Eric Harland on drums. I could go on and on but you need to listen to this music. A previous commentor posted an incredible 1 star review! His lone opinion. We all have one. Listen and review this recording for yourselves. Jazz lives on. September 21, 2000

If all music was this bad, I'd never buy another CD

I bought this CD after listening to Terrence Blanchard's brillant work on the Harrison Ford Movie Soundtrack. I was hoping to hear the beautiful music that was on that CD. I was however truly disappointed. There is no feeling at all in this CD and it sounds like the musicians are just playing to play without any emotion involved at all. I truly feel that I have wasted my money, and also am disappointed that anyone could possibly think of giving this CD more than 1 star!!!! September 5, 2000

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