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Jimmy Haslip: Nightfall
Jimmy Haslip
bassb.1951
Joe Vannelli
keyboardsThe strength and inspiration for Nightfall was never blasted off a rooftop. Haslip's young daughter had a life-threatening medical problem that, understandably, was kept close to the vest as a personal family issue. Scared, worried, helpless, distraught, are only a microcosm of the distressed feelings one could imagine coursing through his veins. Haslip fueled his heart and head overload into Nightfall. Now making withdrawals from an untapped emotional bank, he channeled it all into every song, every chord, every note. A father's love for his daughter is powerful. Under the circumstances, it is remarkable that Haslip was so clearly focused.
At first, Nightfall could be heard as Red Heat 2. The shuffling percussion of " data-original-title="" title="">Jason Hanna, Haslip's funky bass, and horn driven (tenor saxophonist
Bob Mintzer
saxophoneb.1953
Steve Tavaglione
woodwinds
Wayne Bergeron
trumpet
Jimmy Branly
drums"Casa de Oro" brings a rich sheen to the constructive shift of Nightfall into its own voice. Vannelli and Haslip anchor a mid-tempo strut that takes the pleasant scenic route to the house of gold. A delightful stroll that floats in levels three and four, has Mintzer shining on tenor and
Roger Burn
vibraphone1962 - 2009
Sophistication is a word that comes to mind in describing "The Third Man." Haslip's nimble and assuring melodicism keys Vannelli's synth lines and Hann's percussion, as the tune builds into an unexpected frenzy. The full tilt is attacked ambitiously by Tavaglione on soprano sax. The pace accelerates as Haslip furiously ramps to a raw conclusion.
The title track serves double duty as a lovely heartfelt ballad and as a portrait of the grace and beauty of "Nightfall." Supported by the sound of strings, a poetic duo is performed in earnest by Vannelli and Haslip that temperately leads to Mintzer's tenor serenade. Stella Castellucci's harp fosters a contrasting level of expanse. Haslip's electric fretless is worth the price of admission alone.
Haslip's upward moving core lyricism propels "Palo Alto," with Vannelli providing a breezy counter cushion. Nightfall's epic features the smooth and tasteful offerings of
Katisse Buckingham
fluteA short percussive intro sets up a Haslip groove that quickly gives way to a percussion burst in "Red Coral." Haslip trades licks with Hann in a delicate and precise balancing act that pulsates throughout this uplifting number. Hann introduces the talking drum in with his congas and percussion kit.
Judd Miller
electronics"Deep Waters," has three distinctions. Ross Vannelli joins his brother Joe and Haslip as a co-writer. He joins the band on acoustic guitar, as well. It's also the only song with a vocalist. Lori Perry does the honors, backed by the Perry sisters (Carolyn, Darlene, and Sharon). A song that speaks of love, inner strength, and devotion, emits the kind of emotion reminiscent of a church choir. "Deep Waters" heartbeat is palpitated by Haslip's innate feel and grasp of the moment, both on his electric fretless and a baritone guitar.
Nightfall closes "On Sunday" in a fitting manner, with Haslip and Vannelli again playing as one. Rich harmonies and soulful lines are deliciously aplenty. Burn's vibraphone softly penetrates the yield, as Branly's bongos fade to a memory. Haslip and Vannelli hold on to the spirit drifting into the evening sky.
Nightfall has a different muse than Red Heat. Still, they are family and belong together. Nightfall courageously pits hope and hopelessness eye to eye. Musically creative, it bridges intensity with patience, and balances an array of broadly talented musicians. Strong compositions with smart arrangements allowed the artists to take them to the next level. Sometimes an artist will dig deep into the well to find and unveil emotions. Haslip was sans shovel, with his copious feelings brimming to the surface and briskly pouring from his pores. It's a beautiful record, in no small part, because it is also a documentation of one father's love for his cherished little girl. ">
Track Listing
Empath; Xango; Casa De Oro; The Third Man; Nightfall; Palo Alto; Red Coral; Deep Waters; On Sunday.
Personnel
Jimmy Haslip
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Jimmy Haslip: electric bass (1-4, 6-7), electric fretless bass (5, 8), baritone guitar (8), additional synthesizers (1-2, 4, 7), programming (2,4-5, 7), Joe Vannelli: Rhodes (1-8), synthesizers (1-8), programming (1-4, 6-8), piano (2, 4-5, 8-9), organ (6); Jason Hann: congas and percussion (1-2, 4, 6-7), bongos (6), talking drum (7); Wayne Bergeron: trumpet:(1-2, 6); Bob Mintzer: tenor saxophone (1-2, 5-6); Steve Tavaglione: alto saxophone (1-2, 6), soprano saxophone (4); Jimmy Branley: timbales (2-3), bongos (3, 9); Roger Burn: vibraphone (3, 6, 9); Stella Castellucci: harp (5); Katisse Buckingham: alto flute (6); Judd Miller: EVI (7-8); Lori Perry: vocals (8); Sharon Perry, Carolyn Perry, Darlene Perry, Lori Perry: backing vocals (8); Ross Vannelii: acoustic guitar (8). This record was first self produced in 2011.
Album information
Title: Nightfall | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Blue Canoe Records
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