Jazz / Smooth Jazz; Tribute Albums; Contemporary Jazz; Post-Bop
Recorded: Jul 24, 2002-Jan 3, 2005
* Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey
* Avatar Studios, New York, New York
* O'Henry Studios, Burbank, California
* Right Track Studios, New York, New York
* Munchen, Germany
Tim Ries - tenor saxophone
Keith Richards - vocals, guitar
Norah Jones - vocals, piano
Tony Scherr - vocals, bass instrument
Lisa Fischer, Sheryl Crow, Luciana Souza, Bernard Fowler - vocals
Ron Wood , Ben Monder, Bill Frisell, John Scofield - guitar
Stacey Shames - harp
Kent Smith - trumpet, flugelhorn
Michael Davis - trombone
Edward Simon , Robert Digioia, Bill Charlap - piano
Larry Goldings - organ
John Patitucci - bass instrument
Darryl Jones - bass guitar
Clarence Penn, Brian Blade, Charlie Watts - drums
Jeff Ballard - percussion
Jazz albums are born in a number of different ways. Some arrive with birth pangs after a trial-and-error search for just the right notes and perfect deliverance. Some burst out in a sudden and explosive improvisational brilliance with unblemished first takes. Then, there are those discs that come to fruition in their own time-frame, steeping in years of work that ultimately fulfills the creative vision of the artist. Saxophonist Tim Ries's new CD and his debut for Concord Jazz, The Rolling Stones Project, fits squarely into the latter category-a sprawling tour schedule with the Stones and the logistics of putting together such an ambitious project the main culprits here. Without a doubt, it's been worth the wait. This 11-song collection not only celebrates the iconic pop band but also illustrates how ripe the group's songs are for jazz renderings.
The CD features Ries breathing jazz life into the rock tunes. It also spotlights several guests who bring their support to the project. Included in the mix are vocalists Sheryl Crow, Lisa Fischer, Norah Jones, and Luciana Souza; jazz guitar icons Bill Frisell and John Scofield; keyboardist Larry Goldings; and Wayne Shorter's brilliant bass-drum team John Patitucci and Brian Blade . Most unexpectedly, the Project even features Rolling Stones members Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ron Wood, who also contributed the album cover art. Sessions were recorded in New York, Los Angeles, and Munich, Germany.
"I was shocked that this album came together the way it did," says Ries. "To get all these performers and to put a jazz touch on the Stones' songs, well, I've got to say that this project was a miracle." |
