Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Speakers Corners – Audiophile Audition 01.02.21, 1009 Classical Reviews Hi-Res Reviews Jazz Reviews Component Reviews Support Audiophile Audition Contact Us More Stereotype s Audio Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Speakers Corners Cembal d’amour Home » SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews » Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Speakers Corners by Audiophile Audition | Jan 31, 2021 | Jazz CD Reviews, SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments Pure Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Pleasure / Speakers Electra Records Corner (1979)/Speakers Corner Records (2019), 45:03 ****1/2: (Paul McCandless – clarinet, English horn, oboe; Ralph Towner – flugelhorn, guitar, piano, percussion; Collin Walcott – guitar, percussion; Glen Moore – bass) https://www.audaud.com/oregon-roots-in-the-sky-speakers-corners/ Seite 1 von 4 Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Speakers Corners – Audiophile Audition 01.02.21, 1009 Speakers Corner Records has released a re- Cedille mastered 180-gram vinyl of the 1979 release, Roots In The Sky by Oregon. It has always been difficult to categorize the music of this band. With a core lineup of Paul McCandless (reeds), Ralph Towner (guitar, piano), Collin Walcott (percussion) and Glen Moore, the group met as members of the Paul Winter’s Consort. After Site Search recording several albums on the Vanguard label, they signed with Search here... Electra Records. This represented (along with their 1978 album, Out Of The Woods) an opportunity to access a higher level of studio production and distribution. Side 1 opens with the propulsive, “June Bug”. One of four Towner compositions, it kicks off with furious guitars chords, set against percussion (Colin Walcott). McCandless takes the lead on clarinet which is a pastoral counterpoint to the funky jam. “Vessel” initiates with loping exotic drumming that establishes a free-jazz driving pulse. Towner switches to piano with punctuated repeat chords. His piano solo/lead is lyrical with jazzy inflection. The band members nimbly coalesce around the piano and bassist Glen Moore shines on Nähe his solo. On “Sierra Leone” a musical tapestry is intermingled with African motifs. Oregon manages to combine world influences in genre- combining arrangements. “Ogden Road” delves into the ruminative, melodic ambience with sensitivity and an acoustic coloration. The classical influences (especially piano and English horn) and syncopated tempo contribute to a swirling aural landscape. There is even a Latin undercurrent. Side 2 is a powerful, diverse musical statement. “House Of Wax” begins with a jazzy piano vamp. In contrast, a sitar is added to create an unlikely blend of jazz and mysticism. The texture is augmented by studio effects and the overall free-form approach is hypnotic. A more Nähe contemporary vibe inhabits “Hungry Heart’ with reed instrumentation, guitar bass and percussion.. There is a crisp acoustic guitar run and potent, rhythmic play from the band. A concise “Orrington’s Escape” is crisply executed with occasional atonal intonation. The final pair of songs are emblematic of the quartet’s dynamic musical vision. “Roots In The Sky” is hard charging and bass-driven. It is countered by sitar and flugelhorn for a wild mosaic of sound. The layering of horns is especially compelling. The wide sweeping musical influence of Oregon can be heard on “Longing, So Long”. The group jams with pulsating intensity augmented by a collage of instrumental accents. Oregon suffered a great loss with the death of Collin Walcott in 1984. They persevered to record for another 30 years, but never achieved the creative or critical apex of their earlier career. Speakers Corner Records’ vibrant 180-gram upgrade is a testament to their under- https://www.audaud.com/oregon-roots-in-the-sky-speakers-corners/ Seite 2 von 4 Oregon – Roots In The Sky – Speakers Corners – Audiophile Audition 01.02.21, 1009 appreciated legacy. TrackList: Side 1: June Bug; Vessel; Sierra Leone; Ogden Road Side 2: House Of Wax; Hungry Heart; Orrington’s Escape; Roots In The Sky; Longing, So Long —Robbie Gerson More information at Speakers Corner Website: Share this: Categories Classical Reviews Related Reviews Jazz Reviews Oregon - 1000 Hi-Res Reviews Kilometers - CamJazz Classical The members double Reissue on many different Reviews Boz Scaggs - The Doobie Brothers instruments to come Speakers Corner - The Captain And Me up with a wider Video Reviews Records - Speakers Corner range of sounds that Pop/Rock/Worl Records April 8, 2008 December 24, 2019 d Reviews November 6, 2019 In “Jazz CD Reviews” In “Pop/Rock/World Special CD Reviews” In “Pop/Rock/World Features CD Reviews” Component Reviews https://www.audaud.com/oregon-roots-in-the-sky-speakers-corners/ Seite 3 von 4.