RSSThe Tony Williams Lifetime [extended]
- Emergency! [Polydor, 1969] A
- Turn It Over [Polydor, 1970] B+
- The Joy of Flying [Columbia, 1979] B-
See Also:
Consumer Guide Reviews:
Emergency! [Polydor, 1969]
Williams is probably the best drummer in the world. He worked with Miles Davis for many years, and then split off to form a group of his own. This music is basically jazz, but heavily influenced by the electronic distortions of rock. I hope to write about Williams some more sometime. Meanwhile, this double-lp is a stunner. A
Turn It Over [Polydor, 1970]
I'm being complimentary when I say that though Led Zeppelin II is infinitely more cumbrous and stupid it packs the same sheer clamoring rock presence. Of course, drummer John Bonham insists on breaking the mood with a solo, while drummer Williams improvises continually on a steadier beat than is ordinarily acceptable among jazz devotees--when he, Larry Young, John McLaughlin, and Jack Bruce all play together it's impossible to distinguish front and back or melody and rhythm. "Right On," two orgasmic minutes of raveup energy and master chops, almost makes me believe in his quavering, enigmatic vocal lines. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't make me want to listen to them, perhaps because he uses his voice to pronounce words. B+
Tony Williams: The Joy of Flying [Columbia, 1979]
For months I've had the nagging suspicion that this special-guests showcase might be that oddity of oddities, a good fusion album. But it's only an interesting one, featuring a duet with Cecil Taylor that has nothing to do with fusion and including among its snappy complexities a snappy tune that is actually fun--the lead cut, Jan Hammer's "Going Far." Rest assured that Hammer redeems himself tout de suite on George Benson's "Hip Skip," which like most of what remains is snappy and complex and cloyingly high-tech in the great fusion tradition. But Ronnie Montrose's arena fusillades--unlike Benson's articulate tripe--are also fun. And not only is Williams equally comfortable with Cecil and snappy and heavy metal, he's worth listening to no matter what's in the foreground. B-
See Also
- Jazz Annual: Miles Davis/Tony Williams [1970-05-21]