David Murray - Ballads for Bass Clarinet (DIW, 1991)

David Murray, bass clarinet

John Hicks, piano

Ray Drummond, bass
Idris Muhammad, drums

Recorded October 14 & 15, 1991
Power Station, NYC
Engineer: Jim Anderson

Would David Murray be trying to parody the timeless genre of "ballad album"? Perhaps, and the most obvious giveaway of his presumed mischief is the list of composers on Ballads for Bass Clarinet: David Murray (3 tunes), Wilbur Morris (bassist in Murray's octet), Idris Muhammad (drummer on this date), and Kunle Mwanga (Murray's producer and manager). It's a fair conclusion that none of these compositions actually qualify as ballads and won't become standards. 

Murray's choice of bandmates ensures a strong supporting cast for whatever agenda he might have in mind. Of the side men, John Hicks enjoys the most solo space and demonstrates once again that he can adapt to any setting and deliver solo and accompaniment with all the right notes in all the right places. Ray Drummond gets a brief bass solo on "New Life," and Idris Muhammad is featured on his own composition "Lyons Street."

Murray's three compositions are the most remarkable performances on the album. "Waltz to Heaven" launches the proceedings with a mid-tempo swinger in which the leader and Hicks each play expansive solos. Murray relies on extended techniques here and on "New Life," whereas Hicks just spins out coherent soulful phrases that fit the tunes and leave the listener spellbound. His work on the two opening songs is wholly satisfying and original. 

Murray's "Portrait of a Black Woman" is the longest tune on the album at 11:39 minutes. It begins with an ominous free section in the bass clarinet's lower register, then segues into a more conventional ballad melody. Hicks takes over from Murray's minor intro to make the woman's portrait sparkle with personality. When Murray returns for his solo, Hicks plays a strong blues progression behind the leader's soaring flights.

Jim Anderson's recording renders Murray and Hicks faithfully. Drummond and Muhammad are recessed a bit from the lead voices. 

Discogs lists a vinyl reissue that was licensed from DIW to Ko Ko Music in the UK in 2019. I have not seen or heard that release. 

Fortunately, Qobuz has the full album in CD quality for $5.29. Given the price of the download and the quality of the music, there's no excuse for not owning (or streaming if you prefer) this amazing album. 

To see my reviews of two David Murray albums from the 1980s, go to:

Post: Edit Lovers

Post: Edit The Hill