Billy Bang - Vietnam : Reflections

[White Lightning]

The CD has a street date of May 10th. Promos are probably around. Anybody heard it yet?

I really enjoyed Bang's Vietnam: The aftermath, and the lineup here with John Hicks, James Spaulding, Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris et al seems real good to me.

Thanks!

WL

[JohnS]

This is probably one to get on the strength of the previous issue alone.

Thanks for alerting me to it WL.

Edited May 9, 2005 by JohnS

[SEK]

This recording is a disappointment to me. It doesn't add anything significant to its superb predecessor, and the vocals are weak and wavering.

[John B]

I've listened to this one once so far and enjoyed it. It didn't connect with me as quickly as Aftermath did, but I would recommend it to fans of the first disc.

[JohnS]

Didn't really expect it to have the impact of Aftermath but there is some powerful, swinging and lovely music here. Like John B I'd recommend it to fans of the first disc.

[White Lightning]

I have 2 question for those of you who listened to the album:

1. From the lineup it seems that this album is a more "Jazz meets Vietnamese music" than Aftermath. Is that so?

2. Does Bang continues his journey into from Free Jazz towards mainstream Jazz in this album as well?

Edited June 12, 2005 by White Lightning

[alankin]

1. From the lineup it seems that this album is a more "Jazz meets Vietnamese music" than Aftermath. Is that so?

←

Yes.

[alankin]

A short review can be found here.

[Uncle Skid]

Up, for any new comments and/or Billy Bang recommendations in general.

I saw this one in my local bookstore, and almost bought it. Hesitated when I realized that is was the followup to "Vietnam: The Aftermath", which I also haven't heard yet.

[Head Man]

FWIW the recording is available on emusic.

I've been listening to it now for several months & like it very much. However I don't have anything else by him, so I'm afraid I can't compare it to his other recordings.

[BFrank]

I believe that there is a fair amount of the late, great John Hicks on this album. Probably some of his last recorded work, so it might be worth picking it up for that reason alone.

[White Lightning]

I bought reflections a few months ago and I never regretted it. Both of Billy Bang's Vietnam CDs are getting quite a lot of spin time here.

"Reflections" is very much in "the aftermath" vein: The music is leans towards mainstream and the Jazz is flavored by some very tasty "oriental" tunes. Don't expect anything out as you get from earlier Bang sessions. "Reflections" also has some pure, non-Jazz Vietnamese tracks that I must say I rather like. I feel it was a good decision to add these tracks to the mix.

[ep1str0phy]

I'm a tremendous fan of this album--excellent compositions, fine improvising (by a cast of musicians too seldom heard from--some great stuff by the entire lot, including James Spaulding and the late Mr. John Hicks), and a tremendous sense of weight. Essentially all of Billy's discography is worth checking out; this material is of a high level (and has a lot of programmatic value), but I think some of his other work (particularly Sweet Space, recently reissued in a twofer and boasting killer personnel) is just as good--maybe even more enjoyable.

[JohnS]

My opinion too. It still sounds great today, it's one of those timeless and deeply satisfying things imo.

[Uncle Skid]

Thanks for all the informative responses. My first exposure to Billy Bang was on the Cecil Taylor documentary "All the Notes", and I've been interested ever since.

[montg]

I recently purchased the 'Aftermath' CD and thought I'd bump this thread up....if the 'Reflections' CD is half as good, it's a winner. Great compositions and powerful playing on 'Aftermath'.

Edited February 21, 2008 by montg

[JohnS]

Eighteen months after my last post I still feel that both the Vietnam cds are excellent albums. They've lost none of the interest since their release and get played as much as anything. Highly recommnded still.