Celestial Weather is an album by American jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and bassist John Lindberg, which was recorded in 2012 and released on the Finnish TUM label. Although they have played together as a duo over the years, this album is their first duo recording.[1]

Celestial Weather
Studio album by
Released2015
RecordedJune 16, 2012
StudioSear Sound, New York City
GenreJazz
Length62:21
LabelTUM
ProducerPetri Haussila
Wadada Leo Smith chronology
June 6th 2013
(2015)
Celestial Weather
(2015)
A Cosmic Rhythm with Each Stroke
(2016)

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Absolute Sound     [2]
All About Jazz     [3]
Down Beat     [4]
Tom HullB+[5]

In a review for Down Beat, Jim Macnie says about the duo "You can hear their unity in the heady banter of these three discrete suites. Each is a cascade of curt phrases that manage to solidify as they align with those of their mate."[4]

The All About Jazz review by Dan McLenaghan notes, "With Celestial Weather, Smith and Lindberg employ a spare, conversational approach.. It is music that is reflective and serene."[6]

The JazzTimes review by Bill Beuttler states, "The result, though less extravagant than Smith’s Pulitzer-nominated, four-CD Ten Freedom Summers and subsequent two-CD The Great Lakes Suites, is a worthy addition to those recent landmarks that documents the two men’s exceptional rapport."[7]

The Point of Departure review by Chris Robinson says, "Celestial Weather is one long series of in-depth conversations, where each man carefully listens to his friend and responds in kind with care and generosity. It can be a difficult listen, as it is extremely nuanced, contains a great deal of information, and requires as much attention as any music can. While some may bristle at its difficulty and the continual abstraction, it rewards and edifies as all great art does."[8]

Track listing edit

Malachi Favors Maghostut - A Monarch of Creative Music (Wadada Leo Smith)

  1. "Part I" - 7:15
  2. "Part II" - 9:49

Celestial Weather Suite (Wadada Leo Smith and John Lindberg)

  1. "Cyclone" - 5:27
  2. "Hurricane" - 7:20
  3. "Icy Fog" - 8:19
  4. "Typhoon" - 3:31
  5. "Tornado" - 9:20

Feathers and Earth (John Lindberg)

  1. "Part I" - 7:15
  2. "Part II" - 4:05

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Original Liner Notes by Wadada Leo Smith
  2. ^ Richardson, Derk (August 2, 2016). "Wadada Leo Smith & John Lindberg Celestial Weather". The Absolute Sound. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  3. ^ McClenaghan, Dan (November 23, 2015). "Wadada Leo Smith & John Lindberg: Celestial Weather". All About Jazz. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b Macnie, Jim. Celestial Weather review. Down Beat March 16: page 52. Print.
  5. ^ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Wadada Leo Smith". Tom Hull. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. ^ McLenaghan, Dan. Celestial Weather review at All About Jazz
  7. ^ Beuttler, Bill. Celestial Weather review at JazzTimes
  8. ^ Robinson, Chris. Celestial Weather review at Point of Departure