The Fire Within (Don Braden album)
The Fire Within is an album by the American saxophonist Don Braden, released in 1999.[2][3] Braden supported the album with shows in the United States and Britain.[4]
The Fire Within | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1999 | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Label | RCA Victor[1] | |||
Producer | Don Braden | |||
Don Braden chronology | ||||
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Production
Braden recorded the album with three different bands.[5] Kenny Kirkland intended to play with one of the bands but died before the recording sessions; instead of replacing Kirkland's piano, Braden chose to record the planned songs with just himself, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.[6] Dwayne Burno played bass on some of the other tracks.[7]
Braden composed the title track.[8] "Solar" is a cover of the Miles Davis song.[9] "Fried Bananas" is a cover of the Dexter Gordon tune; "Thermo" was written by Freddie Hubbard.[10][11]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [12] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [13] |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD | [10] |
JazzTimes deemed the album Braden's "first masterpiece," writing that "the title tune's mercurial sax-piano-bass-drums slo-burn is also the album's vibe signifier."[14] The Irish Times determined that "the real meat, and Braden's most unbuttoned soloing, is from the final session, a trio with Christian McBride and Jeff 'Tain' Watts, with the tenor energised."[15] The Boston Herald stated: "More Rollins than Coltrane, Braden plays the spaces as well as any young saxman, knows the value of a melody and gives his sidemen ... space to shine."[16]
AllMusic called The Fire Within "a fine record" and "a varied but balanced disc of traditional jazz."[12]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Incendiary" | |
2. | "All or Nothing at All" | |
3. | "Solar" | |
4. | "The Boiling Point" | |
5. | "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" | |
6. | "Thermo" | |
7. | "Where There's Smoke" | |
8. | "The Fire Within" | |
9. | "Fried Bananas" | |
10. | "Doctune" |
References
- Johnson, Martin (6 May 1999). "A Tip of the Hat to a Cool, Funky Trio". Newsday. p. C5.
- Bauer, William R. (March 12, 2003). Open the Door: The Life and Music of Betty Carter. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0472067915 – via Google Books.
- Janowiak, John (Jun 1999). "Requiem/The Fire Within". DownBeat. 66 (6): 62.
- Massarik, Jack (10 Feb 2000). "Local heroes save the Braden bacon". Evening Standard. p. 53.
- Macnie, Jim (Jul 1999). "Traditions: As she lives and breathes". Jazziz. 16 (7): 19.
- Hunter, Jr., Al (30 Apr 1999). "'COSBY' COMPOSER AIMS FOR ACCLAIM OUTSIDE SHOW". FEATURES YO!. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 71.
- Poses, Jon W. (March 14, 1999). "Other new releases worth noting". Columbia Daily Tribune.
- Blumenthal, Bob (17 July 1999). "Braden quartet teams up in collective spirit". The Boston Globe. p. C6.
- Fischer, Doug (15 July 2000). "A passionate student of jazz". Ottawa Citizen. p. K2.
- The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books Ltd. 2000. p. 174.
- Jones, Ryan (April 30, 1999). "BRADEN HAS THE FIRE OF JAZZ WITHIN". LIFESTYLE/PREVIEWS. The Record. Hackensack. p. 3.
- "Don Braden - Fire Within Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 796.
- Terrell, Tom. "Don Braden: The Fire Within". JazzTimes.
- Comiskey, Ray (25 June 1999). "Don Braden: The Fire Within". Sound. The Irish Times. p. 12.
- Convey, Kevin R. (July 9, 1999). "DON BRADEN The Fire Within". Scene. Boston Herald. p. 24.