Eric Byrd (piano/vocal *); Bhagwan Khalsa (bass); Alphonso Young Jr. (drums); + Terell Stafford (trumpet**); Tim Warfield (sax**).
(Review by Lance).
Back in the day when, as a callow youth, I first endeavored to penetrate the jazz curtain I discovered there were certain rites of passage. If it was a modern/bop gig, wearing your sharp suit, slim-jim tie and crewcut hairstyle you hollered for the band to play Dizzy Gillespie's The Champ. If, on the other hand, it was a New Orleans style band (Trad had yet to be invented) wearing your duffle coat, sloppy-joe sweater and, sans deodorant, you shouted for The Saints.
Both of them rather inane tunes.
However, in the right hands, water can be turned into wine.
The Eric Byrd Trio do exactly that in this selection of Sacred Music Vol. 1. Jazz inspired arrangements of spirituals, hymns and gospels is what it says on the tin and that is what you get - plus a little more. In fact a lot more.
The tracks with Stafford and Warfield turn the wine into whiskey so maybe it's as well they don't play every track!
Byrd, Khalsa and Young are superb behind the horns and turn in vintage performances of their own.
Byrd throws in a few vocals and I can picture the congregation swingin' and swayin' along to the message.
Hallelujah!
Lance.
Ain-a That Good News**/There's a Sweet Spirit/When the Saints Go Marching In/Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho**/There's Just Something About That Name (Jesus)**/I Want Jesus to Walk With Me*/Calvary*/Blessed Assurance/Just a Closer Walk With Thee**.
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