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It's interesting that Popular Songs is the first Columbia Marsalis compilation: after all, he's been on the label not far short of two decades. It's odd also that it's called Popular Songs, because it's doubtful that the average jazz fan, let alone the casual listener, could whistle the first four bars of any Marsalis composition. Seeing as there are just four standards here--"Cherokee", "Where or When", "I Got Lost in Her Arms" and "The End of a Love Affair"--that makes this an interesting use of language. You could say the same for Stanley Crouch's liner notes. Anyway, the selection conc
It's interesting that Popular Songs is the first Columbia Marsalis compilation: after all, he's been on the label not far short of two decades. It's odd also that it's called Popular Songs, because it's doubtful that the average jazz fan, let alone the casual listener, could whistle the first four bars of any Marsalis composition. Seeing as there are just four standards here--"Cherokee", "Where or When", "I Got Lost in Her Arms" and "The End of a Love Affair"--that makes this an interesting use of language. You could say the same for Stanley Crouch's liner notes. Anyway, the selection concentrates for the most part on Marsalis's small-group sessions, from 1985 (Black Codes) to 1999 (Sunflowers). There's nothing from his with-strings albums or from the recent splurge of big-concept pieces, and the emphasis is for the most part on medium-tempo swingers. There is a sense of ease to most of the performances here that would make all but "Cherokee" radio-friendly, and the arrangements call for clarity and poise rather than agitation, so it's fair to say that this is a nice, low-key introduction to the wonderful world of Wynton Marsalis and his music. --Keith Shadwick
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Manufacturer: Sony Jazz
Release date: 29 July 2001
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 5099750223826
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