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Evan Christopher: The Remembering Song
ByBy this point in his life, Christopher might have been road-weary, but what he learned along those roads contributes to his artistry. In Sidney Bechet's autobiography, Treat It Gentle (Twayne Publishers, 1960), the reedman discusses a man traveling a road and coming back, understanding something upon his return that was beyond his grasp when he left. When Christopher first met clarinetist Tony Scott, he also mentioned a road, giving Christopher a signed photo that said "Good luck on clarinet road," adding a cautionary addendum that warned, "Lots of curves." Each and every life change mentioned above can be viewed as one of these curves, but Christopher has come out the other end with a richer musical persona.
With The Remembering Song, Christopher channels Bechet and delivers a touching tribute to New Orleans. Bechet references are everywhere, with originals referencing his book ("You Gotta Treat It Gentle") and covers which were written by his musical associates (Tommy Ladnier's "Mojo Blues"). The songs that aren't directly tied to Bechet are about the Crescent City and Christopher's connectionand returnto this place of wonder. "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans," "My Home Is In A Southern Town" and "Dear Old Southland" are clear messages about the clarinetist's feelings toward his adopted home.
Christopher is in the driver's seat for this trip along "Clarinet Road," but he has some of the best navigators in the business along for the ride. Bucky Pizzarelliperhaps the greatest living rhythm guitarist at the time of this writingkeeps better time than a Swiss watch. Bassist Greg Cohen, who seems as comfortable with his feet in the Mississippi as he is swimming in the more perilous waters of Masada's music, is a rock, while electric guitarist James Chirillo is the connective tissue.
Christopher has a wide sound that can resemble an alto clarinet when he travels down into the depths of his horn, but his clarinet possess a singing spirit, more in line with Bechet's soprano saxophone, in many places. Every performance, from the snappy work on "The Wrath Of Grapes" to the sweet singing sounds of "Serenade," and ending with the irrepressibly spirited take on "Dear Old Southland," is spellbinding.
Evan Christopher's clarinet is a conduit for the very heart and soul of New Orleans, and The Remembering Songwith all of its passion, promise and Southern purityis impossible to forget.
Track Listing
The Remembering Song--Prelude; The Wrath Of Grapes; Way Down Yonder In New Orleans; The River By The Road; The Remembering Song--Interlude; Mojo Blues; You Gotta Treat It Gentle; My Home Is In A Southern Town; Serenade; The Remembering Song; Waltz For All Souls; Dear Old Southland.
Personnel
Evan Christopher
clarinetEvan Christopher: clarinet; Bucky Pizzarelli: acoustic guitar; James Chirillo: electric guitar; Greg Cohen: bass.
Album information
Title: The Remembering Song | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Arbors Records
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About Evan Christopher
Instrument: Clarinet
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