Wee Sneezawee is an album by American jazz saxophonist Jimmy Lyons recorded in 1983 for the Italian Black Saint label.Black Saint Records discography accessed July 15, 2011
Reception
The AllMusic review awarded the album 4 stars.Allmusic Review accessed July 15, 2011 The New York City Jazz Record'''s reviewer wrote that "It's often dense and tense collectivized free jazz, but it's also radically egalitarian, each voice an equal even in the presence of Lyons' soaring virtuosity." The Penguin Guide to Jazz described the album as "the most conventional" of those recorded towards the end of Lyons's career.
Writing for Audiophile Audition, Doug Simpson commented: "Nothing Lyons recorded could be considered mainstream jazz, but over the 42 minutes, Lyons moves as close to a conventional nature as any Lyons record gets. Lyons is the leader, but there is a lot of room and space for the others. Malik shifts from unison lines with Lyons to impactful solo statements and is intense on the opening title track, matching Lyons' enlivened chords and lines. During the course of the program, Borca’s bassoon provides a deeper resonance which complements Parker’s bass, and often is the musical adhesive which grounds the five lengthy Lyons compositions."
Track listingAll compositions by Jimmy Lyons'' "Wee Sneezawee" - 7:26 "Gossip" - 7:29 "Remembrance" - 6:56 "Shackinback" - 9:10 "Driads" - 11:44 Recorded at Vanguard Studios in New York City on September 26 & 27, 1983
Personnel Jimmy Lyons - alto saxophone Raphe Malik - trumpet Karen Borca - bassoon William Parker - bass Paul Murphy - drums
References