JOE ZAWINUL
Brown Street

Heads Up

Read the Jazzitude review of Joe Zawinul/Faces & Places
Read the Jazzitude review of the DVD release Joe Zawinul & Weather Update
Read the Jazzitude review of the Weather Report box set Forecast: Tomorrow

Throughout his work with Weather Report and, more recently, with his Zawinul Syndicate, Joe Zawinul has always had an orchestral approach to the synthesizer. Yes, he creates sounds that could only come from a synthesizer, but these sounds are used as accents. More often his synthesizers sound like a big band or orchestra, not because he uses them to imitate the sounds of organic instruments, but rather because he arranges his harmonies and melodic lines as though he were arranging for a big band. So, what better idea than to actually arrange some of Zawinul’s work for a big band and couple it with a smaller, groove-oriented combo similar to those the keyboard genius has most often worked and recorded with? Sounds simple, but in the wrong hands such a project could become a confusing mess. It is therefore gratifying to report that the two-disc Brown Street, recorded live at Zawinul’s Birdland club in Vienna with the WDR big band playing Vince Mendoza arrangements along with Zawinul, Victor Bailey, Nathaniel Townsley, and Alex Acuna, is a rousing success.

The 74 year old Zawinul didn’t want to create a ‘greatest hits’ package, and he did not want to gut the tunes by taking the groove factor away. Indeed, the groove is absolutely essential to much of Zawinul’s work. Fortunately, Mendoza’s arrangements, the intensity of the small group, and fiery contributions from a number of soloists ensure that this is a memorable performance that, far from diminishing the power of Zawinul’s compositions, points out how truly strong they are.

The band opens with the title track, which originally appeared on the Weather Report album 8:30. Following a typically atmospheric opening, the group kicks in with Victor Bailey’s bass leading the way. The brass and reeds trade lines originally played on synthesizer by Zawinul, and the listener realizes that this is going to be a really great performance. Heiner Wiberny and Paul Shigihara play some solid solos, and the whole thing lifts off admirably. Indeed, Shigihara is an excellent soloist on these fusion-oriented projects as he proved on last years Some Skunk Funk with the Brecker Brothers.

Shifting gears, the group plays a gorgeous rendition of “In a Silent Way” that emphasizes the tune’s peacefulness tinged with melancholy. John Marshall’s trumpet gives a crystal-clear reading of the melody, and the piece departs as quietly as it arrived, segueing into a burning reading of “Fast City,” with tenor saxophonist Paul Heller leaving a lasting impression on the listener. “Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz” is a track that really demonstrates how nicely Vince Mendoza has arranged these pieces. Following a perfect rendition of “Badia” from Weather Report’s Tale Spinnin’ album, the group plays a raved-up version of the classic “Boogie Woogie Waltz.” The two tunes really reverberate by being placed together this way (as they originally were on the live portion of the 8:30 album), and the energy level reaches the stratosphere. The version of “Black Market” which follows is a bit on the languid side, maybe the only tune here that doesn’t match or exceed the energy level of the original recording. Still, it’s far from a bad performance.

The second disc continues the fine performance, with some great latter-day Weather Report material such as “Night Passage” and the energetic, powerful “Procession,” another example of how far ahead of things Zawinul and his bandmates were. Then there’s the sheer beauty of “A Remark You Made,” one of the most lyrical songs of the entire Weather Report canon. Mendoza’s arrangement is perfect, and this should become a mainstay of big band chart books for years to come. The finale is a rousing version of the Zawinul Syndicate’s world music theme “Carnavalito,” and by the end of the track, and the disc, listeners will know what those in attendance that October night in Vienna knew: Brown Street is a keeper.