Journeys

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2007-10-20
Summary: "Intelligent, Expressive and Original Saxman"

The sweetness, strength, purity and fullness of Jim Butler's original pieces on this CD demand a wider audience. He has a talent for inventing musical landscapes..."Journey to the End of the Night" stands on its own as a full bodied tribute to a great novel and its author, and also speaks of the Journey he himself has taken from S.California, through Texas, Florida, Japan & ??? His music moves as much as he does, and varied influences abound. "Out West where it's Dry" evokes the bright light of California's Southwest desert air shimmering with hot sunlight..."Wild Blue Horizon" has a poignant entry, and the mix of saxophone and crash of percusssion are the ocean breakers, broken foam defining the wild winds in the blue sky...the repeating melody will haunt you, make you yearn for wide open spaces. The ocean puts on a new face, caressing the shoreline, subdued, gentle in "Next to the Sea/Beginning of the Morning," and continues this musical exploration of his birthplace. The beginning saxophone lines are as much bird as reed instrument..."Seeing You Again" has the heavy languid feeling of old memories, some sweet, some hurtful, and the hope for new beginnings intertwined in its memorable melody. "Felicidade" will make you hope that this great saxophonist, and his great band, have a chance to play and create music in Brazil some day. Also,look for Jim Butler Jazz Quartet "Live In Tokyo" CD which was recorded in Japan in 2005.