Lester Bowie Music

Bowie's musical exploits were gutsy for a number of reasons, and it makes this album, among his others, a pleasure. Despite some great moments on this album (including a beautiful "Two Becomes One"), it ultimately does not reach the mastery it should.

Part of this is simply overreach -- Nessun Dorma, the superb aria from Puccini's Turandot, is shown to be beyond the reach of Bowie's arranging skills. I'm inclined to think it's beyond the reach of any jazz arranger's skills, so I give Bowie props for trying. Other tracks simply can't overcome the shortcomings of the original composition (Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Don't Cry for Me" is the prime example here).

In the end, "Odyssey of Funk and Popular Music" has its moments, but is probably not your best Bowie pick. Grab "When the Spirit Returns" first, then come back for this.

(By the way, the Amazon reviewer seems to think "In the Still of the Night" is the Cole Porter song. In actuality, it is the song by the Five Satins . I don't know how the reviewer made this mistake; Bowie's version does not sound remotely like Porter.)

It's not Kenny G. It's not "Bitches' Brew". It IS worth buying just for the Spice Girls' song which I've (proudly) never even heard done by the Spice Girls but makes my eyes glaze over on this CD. I don't know jazz but I know what I like.

If this is the last CD put out by this late genius it is a fitting testament to the breadth of musical knowledge, skill and humor he truly possessed. A great CD.

Any jazz artist that can appreciate Marilyn Manson has got to be great. Thanks Lester.

Few artists are motivated or well-equipped to interpret the entire scope of 20th century music in the course of one album. Thank heavens for the unfettered spirit of Lester Bowie and his posse, Brass Fantasy. The Spice Girls' tune "Two Become One" is given an utterly captivating reading here. This one song is reason enough to buy this album. Bowie and company also navigate Puccini's aria "Nessun Dorma" (in a Nawlins street-carnival spirit), late rapper Notorious B.I.G.'s "Notorious Thugs" (complete with vocals by Dean Bowman) and oldies radio staples "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "In The Still of the Night". Little brother Joseph Bowie guest-raps on "Next" and trombonist Josh Roseman shows true potential to become a jazz star of the next decade. The one downer is a bizarre rendition of Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" which I still can't bear all the way through. Otherwise Bowie's latest parade of pop music re-assemblages is a keeper.

There are made two CD's from this live-concert. First set and second set. They have a frontcover that is allmost the same, so check the back.. Both are very very worth listening to. On the first you will hear one long number. Stretching about 45 minutes, players taking-over the on-going movement. Malachi..oh,Malachi! You had such a beautifull deep voommm-tone coming from your Base! ( also listen to 4x2 with Tatsu Aoki, abstract,two baseplayers,pure friendship, you will need good speakers for that one, because the basesounds are drilling deep in the undertones and the scratchsounds of nails and hands touching snares (and small percussion-things) make you feel like sitting next to the players..!!)
Bowie, another missed fenomenon, with his searching and moving typical Bowie-sound and Kahil el'Zabar.. An absolute original in Jazz.. playing on his rithmsets, african drums and sensitive thumbpiano..Top of FreeJazz. A worthfull Document in Jazzhistory. The second CD contains several numbers and is just as very very good! Try to get both! Nowadays on Charly Lable..Can't imagine that these are not available anymore !