Joshua Redman's 2013 album,
Walking Shadows, is a lush orchestral album featuring the saxophonist backed by a large symphonic ensemble. From
Charlie Parker's string recordings in the '50s, to
Miles Davis' large-ensemble recordings with
Gil Evans in the '60s, to
Wynton Marsalis' 1984 album
Hot House Flowers, there is a long tradition of jazz musicians framing themselves in the warm, classical tones of a string orchestra. Here,
Redman positions himself within this continuum with an album that frames his articulate, harmonically sophisticated saxophone style with immaculately produced arrangements from
Dan Coleman,
Patrick Zimmerli, and pianist
Brad Mehldau.
Mehldau also appears here as a member of
Redman's quartet alongside bassist
Larry Grenadier and drummer
Brian Blade. These are some of the most nuanced, lyrical, and romantic recordings
Redman has ever produced. Tracks like his opening take on
Jerome Kern and
Oscar Hammerstein's "The Folks Who Live on the Hill" and
Leo Robin and
Ralph Rainger's "Easy Living" have a sweeping, cinematic quality that one could easily imagine as the soundtrack to classic film noir.
Redman also includes a few of his compositions, including the ruminative "Final Hour" and the torchy "Let Me Down Easy," which perfectly balance his vocal-like saxophone melodies and roiling
John Coltrane-influenced improvisations. While most of the album centers around the orchestral arrangements, some tracks -- like
Redman's cover of
John Mayer's "Stop This Train" and
the Beatles' "Let It Be" -- are ruminative small-group tracks that should appeal to listeners who enjoyed his quartet side project
James Farm. Ultimately,
Walking Shadows is a mature, sophisticated album that can stand head to head with the best orchestral jazz albums of any decade. ~ Matt Collar