Wayne Shorter - The Soothsayer

Introducing Wayne Shorters Epic Masterpiece The Soothsayer

As you can see by the title I have quite a high opinion of this particular album. I doubt you will find another reviewer ready to call this the best Wayne Shorter record...but I will and readily. The reasons for me are obvious. You take the beginning title,

1)Lost-An abosolutely stellar and powerful opening piece that could dig deep down into the most subdued of souls to pull out fire and passion. It's soaring. It's large in sound and is completely captivating.

Then you move to the original and alternate take of the sweet swinging and hip,

2)Angola-I personally prefer the alternate take as it seems to me to possess a better flow. This track is energetic and free. It's fun. It's enthusiastic and bright. It's rythmic and mid tempo. The orginal take seems rushed to me.

Next up is the smooth and quite compelling,

3)The Big Push-This title is much in the mold of "Lost" but wholly original. The Big Push to me combines elements of the previous two tracks and does so without a single hitch. It's powerful like Lost. It swings like Angola. It's back and forth the whole way. As I said before it's smooth and blends perfectly.

When listening to,

4)The Soothsayer-For the first time it can seem a bit choppy and a bit strange as it's modes are quite unorthodox in the beginning and the end. However, it's a firey blaze with the drumming of the greatest drummer ever Tony Williams once it gets going. And this bad mother****** lights a fire under all the participants and inspires solos that make you shake with excitement. Good God, Tony could burn!

It's sort of hard for me to say much about

5)Lady Day-Because I don't know what to say, other than it is the most GORGEOUS ballad that Wayne Shorter ever composed. Now, I love Iris (Miles Davis ESP) I love Pennelope (Wayne Shorter Et Cetera) I love Virgo (Wayne Shorter Night Dreamer) I love Infant Eyes (Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil) I love House Of Jade (Wayne Shorter Juju) But Lady Day is as beautiful as the Lady herself. The clearest indication of my love for this ballad however could never be read, only seen when you see the tears that fall from my eyes when I listen to this Masterpiece. I have to say this is "pure" "beauty" "Pure Beauty". This track came strait for Wayne Shorter's heart and soul as do all his compositions, but my friends, this one came from a little deeper.

The final track,

6)Valse Triste-Is the perfect closing number for this album. And to me the music conveys a message that everything will be alright children...don't worry. It's going to be okay. The music technically is mid tempo, free flowing and smoothe. It's melody is memorable and always pleasing to listen too. This track is truly full of JOY.

It surprises me that more people don't hold this work in the same regard as I. But then I have always been different and personally I think that's a good thing.

Thanks Wayne and who ever I helped to become a fan of Wayne Shorter's music and in particular this record. October 31, 2008

Incredible Wayne Shorter

This is as good as any other Wayne Shorter CD.Every solo,every second,supreme and sublime music.Wayne,Freddie Hubbard,McCoy Tyner,Ron Carter and the driving Tony Williams make this one hard to get out of your CD player.You will highly enjoy!! July 28, 2008

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