Cedar Walton - The Trio 1 (Red, 1986)

This post is by Scott and Dan

Cedar Walton (p); David Williams (b); Billy Higgins (d)

Recorded on March 29, 1985

The 1980s were especially kind to Cedar Walton. His concert in Bologna, Italy was captured on tape by Red Records producers Alberto Alberti and Sergio Veschi. The concert yielded three volumes: The Trio 1, 2 and 3. The absence of hype in the album titles is appropriate because the music needs no hype. It is, plain and simple, a superb concert played by a trio of superb artists. Although recorded live, the trio are miked closely and there is little crowd noise to disturb or distract the listener. (This is not a dreaded "location recording.")

All of the cuts show the trio in top form, seemingly relaxed but also focused and responsive to each other. Walton is, of course, the primary soloist. David Williams provides a strong foundation and Billy Higgins, as always, shows his mastery at the drum kit. It's tempting to call this music "elegant," but it's simultaneously very soulful. Not a bad combination. 

On Volume 1, we hear four standards, each played at a comfortable pace, some over considerable length (8-11 minutes). "My Ship" is first and sets the bar high. On Walton's composition, "Holy Land," Williams gets a big chunk of solo space right before Walton and Higgins trade fours. And this occurs in the middle of the performance, not as an obligatory tag at the end. We're sure Walton wanted to showcase the talent playing behind him. Walton's own solo on "Holy Land" is his most vigorous of the date. Walton's "Voices Deep Within Me" closes the album with another lengthy workout that you want never to end. 

Walton's recording credits read like a Who's Who of modern jazz. His leadership, composing and playing made significant contributions to the music over his lifetime. Dan still holds the memory of seeing him in the Jazz Messengers in 1963, his first taste of live jazz. 

Anyone curious about the health of jazz in 1985 would receive no better testament than hearing the Cedar Walton Trio in concert. All three volumes in the series are worth listening to closely and are highly recommended.