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Wycliffe Gordon - Cone’s Coup |
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by Rick Holland
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 Cone's Coup | | Personnel: Wycliffe Gordon, Trombone, Stacy Dillard, Tenor and Soprano Sax, Johnny O’Neal, Piano, Reginald Veal, Bass, Herlin Riley | | Tracks:SHHHH!, Yaht Doo Daht, Ditt, Sweet Spot, Blue’s for Alice’s Freight Train, Speak Low, The Breaks, Blooz Hymn, Just Friends, Stars Fell on Alabama, Mister P.C., Cruise Blues, Hush Yo’ Mouf!! | |
Wycliffe Gordon is one of those rare musicians in a generation who displays mastery of his craft and still understands the importance in communicating to an audience. Cone’s Coup is display of technical mastery by one of the finest Jazz trombonists ever to grace a stage, in any generation. At the same time, Wycliffe totally understands his roots. His music is fun, communicative and reminds me of the fun Satchmo’ had on stage performing to his audience!!
Wycliffe has a strong supporting cast on this disc. Joining Gordon are New Orleans veterans Reginald Veal (bass) and Herlin Riley (drums) who anchor a marvelous rhythm section full of energy and swing. And, Johnny O’Neal joins this group on piano. He’s a native of Detroit, Michigan. If you do not recognize his name, O’Neal is a swinger in his own right, with a marvelous repertoire. He has performed with Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Clark Terry and Art Blakey to name a few.
Stacy Dillard joins Gordon on Tenor Sax. Also a native of Michigan, Dillard first met Gordon on a clinical appearance of Gordon’s at Central State University where Dillard studied. Later Dillard caught up with Gordon in Brooklyn, NY, where Dillard sat in with Gordon’s group. Wycliffe hired Dillard on the spot. Wycliffe quotes in his liner notes, “He may not have the name recognition, but he delivers the goods!” They are a great front-line for this fine quintet.
What I must impress about this recording, is these musicians are masters of time, harmony, and instrumentation. This is displayed so beautifully on Blues for Alice’s Freight Train. As these musicians play the blues in F and Ab, then swing their %^$#@ off and play wonderful lyrical be-bop lines. Wycliffe enters on some high Z or Q and then delivers a beautiful stated be-bop solo for the ages! Just wonderful to listen to!
Wycliffe also seems careful to program a listenable set that entertains contrasting feels and with some surprises. Speak Low, for example, is usually played quickly (at least these days, not originally!!) and Wycliffe features Dillard on a ballad performance of the Kurt Wiell composition. Nice performance and unexpected. This is followed with an fierce up-tempo original entitled The Breaks. The tune is a duet featuring a call and response by Dillard and Gordon that displays some marvelous improvisation by both Gordon and Dillard.
I’m rarely entertained when I listen to Jazz music as much as Wycliffe’s Cone’s Coup. I’m just blown away by Gordon’s mastery of the trombone. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a trombone player this good in my lifetime. With that being said, there are some amazing performers out there!! I love Gordon’s intent on the music that displays the traditional values of Jazz, from Gospel (Blooz Hymn) to the call and response’s heard throughout this disc.
If you’re not hip to this fine musician, please check this guy out!! He is a treasure in our generation, a throw back if you will who understands everything before him and knows where he’s going on his future path!! Bravo Wycliffe!!!
For more information about the music of Wycliffe Gordon, please visit: |
Rick Holland |
| About the author: |
| A versatile musician and veteran performer in organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Pendowski, Rob Parton , Buddy De Franco, Buselli-Wallrab and Terry Gibbs Bands, Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance. |
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