WYNTON MARSALIS - Reeltime (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sometimes even the powerful Wynton Marsalis has to take no for an answer, as his score for the film Rosewood was commissioned and completed but ultimately not used. In this case, it's clearly the filmmakers' loss, for Marsalis has written a soulful, stylistically wide-ranging set of cues that he put out anyway as part of his massive 1999 release schedule. The theme song for Rosewood is a cool, studied, country blues-flavored tune with Cassandra Wilson exploiting the husky tones of her bottom range. Along the way, Marsalis throws in some solo piano music; some bluegrass -- a dignified folk ballad and reel for fiddler Mark O'Connor; some fine swing violin from the then-88-year-old marvel Claude Williams; music for gospel choir and Shirley Caesar; and handkerchief-waving New Orleans street music (the traditional "Sing On"). There are brief atmospheric cues for big band: the moody "Eyes Around the Corner" is an obvious homage to Miles Davis and Gil Evans; "Morning Song" -- with Karen Briggs on violin -- could almost be an Ellington outtake with Ray Nance. Marsalis' house players from Lincoln Center also receive sporadic room to ruminate, as does Marsalis' own eloquent horn ("After the Dead," a lonely solo surrounded by a halo of reverb, is especially moving). It's good to hear Marsalis stretching himself all over the spectrum of music of the American South, and always from the point of view of a staunch, respectful traditionalist. Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1     Rosewood 2'42
Wynton Marsalis
2     Mr. Mann 3'51
Wynton Marsalis
3     Sylvester's Rag 2'12
Wynton Marsalis
4     Gentler Times 2'56
Wynton Marsalis
5     Gossipin' Hens 5'41
Wynton Marsalis
6     Sunday Blessing 1'59
Wynton Marsalis
7     I Hear a Knockin' 1'05
Wynton Marsalis
8     Go, Possum, Go 2'01
Wynton Marsalis
9     Eyes Around the Corner 1'33
Wynton Marsalis
10     Sing On 2'49
Traditional
11     Morning Song 2'33
Wynton Marsalis
12     I Hear a Knockin' 0'51
Wynton Marsalis
13     If I Hold On 1'40
Wynton Marsalis
14     Elgin Mills 2'33
Wynton Marsalis
15     Rattlesnake Tail Swing 2'32
Wynton Marsalis
16     Dark Heart Beat 0'50
Wynton Marsalis
17     Fire in the Night 6'31
Wynton Marsalis
18     Porch Whiskey 3'18
Wynton Marsalis
19     To Higher Ground 4'49
Wynton Marsalis
20     After the Dead 2'57
Wynton Marsalis
21     Rosewood 4'28
Wynton Marsalis
Credits :
Big band conducted by Wynton Marsalis with performances by: Cassandra Wilson, Shirley Caesar, Mark O'Connor, Marcus Roberts and more.