Ernie Watts - The Long Road Home

We all begin our lives in simple innocence, knowing deep down that all is good and all is love, we are home. Life's journey begins. Somehow, somewhere along the way we realize that life has become very complex and filled with all sorts of fear and doubt. When darkness surrounds us, we become lost on our journey. The memory of our simple essence begins to call and we begin our journey back home. Most of us spend the majority of our lives trying to get back home. It can be a very circuitous route, but I believe, we all eventually get there. This Music is a reflection of my personal journey to date. Good luck on your journey. We're all on "The Long Road Home." This music is lovingly dedicated to the memory of my friend and teacher Bill Green. - by Ernie Watts

Grammy winning saxophonist Ernie Watts re-releases his third and final audiophile XRCD (extended resolution) via his own Flying Dolphin Records. The Long Road Home reflects my voyage back to the music that inspires me, says Watts. When doubt and darkness engulf us, the memory of our essence begins to call and we begin our journey back home. Recorded in New York, Watts surrounds himself with superb players; Kenny Barron (piano), Mark Whitfield (guitar) and Reggie Workman (upright bass). Carmen Lundy lends evocative vocals on two tracks. Recorded without drums, the sessions have a mellow, bluesy feel. The disc contains the Charles Mingus classics Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and Nostalgia In Times Square, along with Willow Weep For Me and Lover Man. Watts originals River of Light and the title track further define his respect for the jazz idiom. His composition Birds Idea pays tribute to the great Charlie Parker. - from www.tradebit.com

Artist: Ernie Watts
Album: The Long Road Home
Year: 1996
Label: JVC (20bit K2 Super Coding)
Runtime: 55:29

Tracks:
1.  Lover Man (Jimmy Davis/Roger Ramirez/Jimmy Sherman) 7:53
2.  At the End of My Rope (Carmen Lundy/June Raynor) 6:47
3.  River of Light (Ernie Watts/David Witham) 7:10
4.  Nostalgia in Times Square (Charlie Mingus) 4:48
5.  Bird's Idea (Ernie Watts) 4:54
6.  The Long Road Home (Ernie Watts/David Witham) 5:41
7.  Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (Charlie Mingus) 5:59
8.  Willow Weep for Me (Ann Ronell) 7:01
9.  Moonlight and Shadows (Ernie Watts) 5:11

Personnel:
Ernie Watts (Tenor Saxophone)
Kenny Barron (Piano)
Reggie Workman (Double Bass)
Mark Whitfield (Guitar) - 1,2,5,7
Carmen Lundy (Vocals) - 2,8