Power of Nine

[scielle]

Excerpt from a Jazz Police article about Anthony Wilson's Power of Nine record.
Full article at http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/6593/2/


Inspiration and connecting are words that keep popping up in Wilson’s carefully measured words. They are words that he uses to describe working with Diana Krall as a sideman and her appearance as a vocalist on Power of Nine. Krall lent her voice to the Jimmy Rowles song “Looking Back”. Referring to Krall as the ultimate artist he says, “She completely cares about music and the songs that she sings. She cares about having a great relationship with the players. She is a very hard worker and is very inspired. She gives more than one hundred percent.”

Continuing to enthuse about Krall, Wilson says, “She is one of the best performers that I have ever seen. She is one of those singers who bring a connection to the song that allows me a way in when I am playing with her. I know what she is looking for in the song. The connection is absolute.”

Producer Joe Harley, Wilson and Krall all have connections to legendary jazz songwriter and pianist Jimmy Rowles. Wilson lists Rowles as one of his favorite artists while Krall studied with the pianist/songwriter. Harley’s connection however is the most interesting. While Wilson and Krall were settling on a Rowles’ song to include on the album, they were unaware of Harley’s connection with the jazz great. Ten years earlier and just a short time before his death the Rowles had given Harley a recording of and the sheet music for “Looking Back”. You can understand Krall and Wilson’s surprise when that information became known after they had suggested the song as one of the tracks for Power Of Nine.

“I don’t feel there are coincidences. There is obviously some reason why this song came to the three of us,” says Wilson, “It just felt really right. It was something that she (Krall) could feel personally connected to. It is a song about growing up and (your roots).”

Wilson feels that despite the fact Krall lives in New York City she retains a close bond to her native Vancouver Island on Canada’s west coast. It is that bond and that remembrance of her youth that Wilson feels makes her the ideal songstress for this piece.

Wilson describes “Looking Back” as a reflective piece with deep blue hues. “I wanted to surround her (Krall) voice with a sensual color, something that is filled with sadness and deep reflection. The lyrics have to do with a person who is looking back at a place where they grew up. You have this imagery of leaving the windows open so the air can come through the screens,” he says.

“Looking Back” however is not all about joyous youthful memories. “The music turns when you get into the bridge and the lyric changes. The person remembers that they left that home, lost their way and experienced disappointment. The individual can’t go back. It (the song) is full of emotion. There is a sense of darkness,” says Wilson. He describes the tune as one where the singer reflects fondly upon the idyllic days of her youth, realizing not all her choices in life were great. The singer however will always have the sweet memories of another time and place.

While much of the music for “Looking Back” is performed in a minor key, Wilson changes the texture and mood of the song by ending with a triumphant sound. He utilizes a major key and more volume to achieve his goal.

[jazzygal karla]

What a great exceprt! Thanks for posting this for our enjoyment, scielle.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the words "Jazz Police", but of course I was quite pleased with the content.

I read elsewhere that "From This Moment On" made some loser critic's list of the top ten worst albums of the year. Cretin.