By now, it would seem that the music of tenor saxman Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969) would seem somehow quaint or old-fashioned. Instead, this music holds up surprisingly well. Hawkins, whose playing influenced several generations of musicians, not just in jazz but across the genre gap to include rock and roll and pop music, created timeless music that has as much appeal today as when it was first recorded.
For my generation, driving music was and probably is epitomized by John Kay rocking out "Born to be Wild" on the radio. The music on this CD takes a quieter approach, but I drove around for several days with these songs on the CD player. There's a rhythm in this music and a power that fills the space of the car and carries you along. It may be elements of hot jazz or be-bop that linger in these later recordings by Hawkins or it may be something more subtle, but At Ease with Coleman Hawkins makes very cool music to drive by.
The first track, "For You, For Me, Forevermore" sets the tone for the rest of the album. the song starts off soft and warm with just Tommy Flanagan on piano alternating with Hawkins' sax. It's sultry and smooth music made for romance. Out of this warm glow grows something cool and groovy as sax and piano are joined by Wendell Marshall on bass and Osie Johnson on drums. The song takes on a swing that carries the listener along without ever sacrificing the romantic mood set by the opening bars.
It's difficult to say much more about the remaining seven tracks on this release. Ranging from a quiet lounge-music affect through the Latin swingtime of "While We're Young" to jazzy blues and close-dancing music and even the almost classical sense of "Poor Butterfly" originally released by The Hilltoppers, these songs all have an intimate feel suitable for a small club or perhaps a romantic couple sharing wine in front of the fireplace.
Article comments
1 - Big Geez
Nice review, Bob. I've always been a sucker for sax and it doesn't get much better than this.