Oregon bothers jazz people because a) they're difficult to categorize, and b) they radiate endlessly cheerful vibes bordering on vacuous new age while maintaining a sharp improvisational edge. So goes this high-profile appearance on Columbia's spinoff label, which sometimes stays within the bounds of post-bop jazz yet is more likely to go veering off in contemplative folk-like, Asiatic, Spanish, or even neo-classical directions. Ralph Towner handles both the piano and various guitars and synthesizers with equal facility, while Paul McCandless' reed work evokes the pure white light of Paul Winter; Glen Moore continues to man the bass; Trilok Gurtu alternates between tabla and traps; and Nancy King checks in with a bout of eccentric scatting on "Chihuahua Dreams." This is intriguing, free-thinking stuff, always intelligent, evidently durable, yet the music misses the spark of true inspiration that could have made it memorable. -
by Richard S. Ginell, AMGArtist: Oregon
Album: 45th Parallel
Year: 1988
Quality:
eac-flac, cue, log, artw.Label: veraBra (1990)
Runtime: 48:37
Tracks:1. Pageant (Ralph Towner) 6:23
2. Hand in Hand (Ralph Towner) 5:58
3. King Font (Ralph Towner) 5:27
4. Riding On The D Train (Ralph Towner) 2:28
5. Beneath An Evening Sky (Ralph Towner) 4:59
6. Chihuahua Dreams (Glen Moore) 4:58
7. Urumchi (Paul McCandless) 4:12
8. Les Douzilles (Ralph Towner) 7:22
9. Bombay Vice (Trilok Gurtu) 4:53
10. Pageant (Epilogue) (Ralph Towner) 1:53
Personnel:Paul McCandless (Piccolo and Soprano Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet)
Ralph Towner (Piano, Synthesizer, Guitar)
Glen Moore (Double Bass)
Trilok Gurtu (Tabla, Drums, Percussion and Voice)
Nancy King (Vocals) - 6
