The Ways of Warmdaddy is the second album by the American musician Wessell Anderson, released in 1996.[2][3] The album title refers to Wynton Marsalis's nickname for Anderson; Anderson started with Marsalis's bands.[4][5] Anderson supported the album with a North American tour.[6]
| The Ways of Warmdaddy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1995 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Atlantic[1] | |||
| Producer | Billy Banks | |||
| Wessell Anderson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editProduced by Billy Banks, the album was recorded in New Orleans in the summer of 1995.[7][8][9] Anderson wrote six of its eight tracks.[10] The Ways of Warmdaddy includes versions of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" (as a solo saxophone piece for Anderson) and "Rockin' in Rhythm".[11][12] Ellis Marsalis played piano on some tracks.[10]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [5] |
| Los Angeles Times |  [14] |
| MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide | [7] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD | [9] |
The New York Times wrote that "Anderson can be an extraordinarily intelligent and original improviser... On a number called 'Change of Heart Blues', for instance, his playing brims with odd phrases and clever rhythm play, resulting in a solo that is as memorable as a good melody."[11] The Los Angeles Times determined that "Anderson hasn't yet discovered a way to bring structure and follow-through to his solos, which tend to be undeniably dazzling arrays of rapid-fire runs."[14]
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram stated that "the funk and flavor of New Orleans surround every husky note and bedeviling phrase young altoist Anderson blows."[15] The Boston Herald called Anderson "both a sensitive accompanist and intrepid soloist."[12]
AllMusic deemed the album "a hard-bop (re)hash, well-played, yet tasting a bit like it's been microwaved back to life—a moderately tasty and almost immediately forgettable side dish."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sunday Soulful Supper" | |
| 2. | "Change of Heart Blues" | |
| 3. | "Rockin' in Rhythm" | |
| 4. | "Desimonae" | |
| 5. | "The Skating Rink" | |
| 6. | "Ron Green's DC Kitchen" | |
| 7. | "Baton Rouge Blues" | |
| 8. | "Mood Indigo" |
References
edit- ^ Macnie, Jim (May 1996). "Blindfold test: Antoine Roney". DownBeat. Vol. 63, no. 5. p. 70.
- ^ Blangger, Tim (11 Feb 1996). "The Warmth of Warmdaddy Washes Over All". The Morning Call. p. F1.
- ^ Wilonsky, Robert (August 27, 1998). "Now's the time – Wynton Marsalis sideman Wessell Anderson is Leaning House's best hope to make some noise". Music. Dallas Observer.
- ^ Simon, Jeff (September 19, 1997). "Daddy Dearest". The Buffalo News. p. G3.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 184.
- ^ Simon, Jeff (September 12, 1997). "Wessell Anderson The Ways of Warmdaddy". The Buffalo News. p. G29.
- ^ a b MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 41.
- ^ Macnie, Jim (Feb 10, 1996). "Blue Notes". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 6. p. 44.
- ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books Ltd. 2000. p. 46.
- ^ a b Wirt, John (March 29, 1996). "Anderson's 'warm' sax also sweet, expressive". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 8.
- ^ a b Watrous, Peter (20 Feb 1996). "Saxophone Not Bound By Limits". The New York Times. p. C13.
- ^ a b Convey, Kevin R. (September 22, 1996). "The Ways of Warmdaddy". Arts & Lifestyle. Boston Herald. p. 47.
- ^ a b "Wessell Anderson Ways of Warmdaddy". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Heckman, Don (6 Apr 1996). "The Ways of Warmdaddy". Los Angeles Times. p. F17.
- ^ Shull, Chris (August 9, 1996). "Jazz". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 12.