SHAWN PURCELL

OBLIVITY

Origin Records

Shawn Purcell, guitar/guitar synthesizer/composer; Jeff Reed, acoustic bass; Chris Ziemba, piano/fender Rhodes; Darden Purcell, vocals; Steve Fidyk, drums/cymbals/percussion; Ben Patterson, trombone; Walt Weiskopf, tenor saxophone.

Dr. Shawn Purcell’s music bursts onto the scene with hurricane force.  The title tune, “Oblivity” is swirling with Straight-ahead energy and excitement. This is one of ten songs Purcell has composed for this outstanding jazz album.

“Oblivity” is the condition of being unknown or not remembering. The state of oblivion has always been a fascination to people of a creative mind.  Jazz itself has shocked the world with its ability to merge imagination and artistry, rising up from unconscious states of mind and a strong longing for freedom. “Oblivity” fits neatly into this package of innovation and experimentation, as a word, or in Shawn Purcell’s case, as an action. This album is plush with enchanting compositions and energy-driven improvisation by a group of outstanding musicians in the Purcell ensemble

A composition Purcell titled, “Quiet the Chaos” is anything but quiet. Jeff Reed sets the tone at the very beginning. But once the others join him, it becomes concentrated energy.  Weiskopf, on tenor saxophone, merges with the guitar synthesizer Purcell plays during this arrangement. It’s a harmonic union.  They set the tone for Ben Patterson to add his trombone solo to the mix. There is plenty of room left for Walt Weiskopf to solo on tenor saxophone. Then, the spotlight swivels briefly to Steve Fidyk on drums. Fidyk always adds percussive zest and excitement to whatever stage he appears on.

Track #3 is titled “Verdigris” and is quite beautiful.  It quickly becomes one of my favorites on this album. The meaning of ‘verdigris’ is that bluish-green encrustation we sometimes see on copper or brass caused by atmospheric oxidation.  It’s a unique tune title, opened by the sweet voice of Darden Purcell singing wordlessly. This composition by Shawn Purcell sounds like something John Coltrane would have enjoyed playing.

On his composition, “Primaries and Spares” the band chooses a funk tempo and a more contemporary jazz arrangement that somehow reminds me of my Boogaloo days.  At the same time, Purcell and his hot band weaves Straight-ahead jazz into the mix.  On “Gentle Giant” the music settles down to a ballad featuring the tender touch of Purcell on guitar. This album offers a wide variety of tasteful arrangements and artistic compositions by Shawn Purcell, that both entertain and unlock Dr. Purcell’s artistic nature, exposing his mastery of the guitar.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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