This album opens with an original number, "Let's Go," and when it begins, it feels like things are already in motion. This one is all about movement. Let's go, indeed. Check out that fantastic piano lead early in the track. It has an unusual approach, particularly at the beginning, with brief thoughts and pauses, trying things, and then really going for it, with unflagging support on drums and bass. There is a loose and wild vibe to that piano work. Then, halfway through the track, Dave Wilson's saxophone takes over, announcing itself almost like an alarm, and there are some totally delicious moments when Dave raises the energy in great spirals. There is then an urgency heard. And then we are treated to a brief drum solo, so all is right with the world. That's followed by "These Days," a song written by Jackson Browne when he was a teenager and first recorded by Nico. It's a wonderful song. Dave Wilson delivers what would be the vocal line, and there is a gentle vibe here, the music soothing us. Jesse Green again takes the first lead on piano, delivering some pretty work. It begins to build in energy, though never losing that pleasant vibe. Dave's lead on soprano sax continues that wonderful feeling, the music like a dance within light. He then returns to the main line or theme of the song. This is the first of the disc's tracks to feature Lenny Castro on percussion, and the percussion plays an important role. I really like what Dave Wilson has done with this song.
On There Was Never, The Dave Wilson Quartet covered the Grateful Dead's "Cassidy," one of my favorite Dead songs, and on One Night At Chris' covered "Friend Of The Devil." "Friend Of The Devil" was also included on Live At Silvana. On this new album, the band covers "Eyes Of The World," another of my favorite Dead songs. It's a song the Dead played at my very first show. It's also the Dead song that most folks have heard with saxophone, because of the album Without A Net, released in 1990. That was a live album containing songs taken from several different Grateful Dead concerts, and that particular "Eyes Of The World" comes from the March 29, 1990 show that featured Branford Marsalis on sax. The presence of saxophone added another great texture to the song, so I was especially excited to hear what Dave Wilson would do with it. This is one of my favorite Dead songs to dance to, and that delicious groove is present in this rendition, and so is the song's cheerful, uplifting feel. At first Dave takes on what would be the vocal line, and Jesse delivers what would be the guitar line. But of course, as with the Dead, it is what happens between the verses that really counts, and that's when Dave especially shines here, leading us to some beautiful, lively and joyful places. It's a fairly short "Eyes," only seven minutes, but is a really good rendition, and features some excellent work on piano in the second half.
Dave Wilson covers two Jimmy Webb songs on this album. The first is "Adios," a song that Jimmy Webb included on his 1993 album Suspending Disbelief. Dave Wilson gives us a pretty rendition. This track features Lenny Castro on percussion, and it is the percussion on this track that gives this version a little more pep. Dave Wilson then returns to original material with "When Even Goes East," the album's title track, which has a seriously cool vibe right from its opening. What a great rhythm! And Dave's work on saxophone immediately grabs us, creating an alluring atmosphere and taking us in some interesting directions. Basically his saxophone creates a world I want to check out, want to live in for a while. It promises some excitement, some unusual characters, some fun. And Evan Gregor's bass line says, absolutely. It is this track's groove that has me feeling so damn good. Daniel Gonzalez's drumming is fantastic. This is my personal favorite track of the album. I highly recommend checking it out.
Things then slow down, and turn a somewhat darker and more mysterious corner with "Slow Freeze," another original composition, this one by Dave Wilson and Kirk Reese. Dave's sax work has a beautiful air of melancholy to it at moments, sometimes reaching out, sometimes turning inward. This is an intriguing piece, in large part because of that work on sax. And Jesse's piano lead takes us farther inward, visiting some forgotten corners. Lenny Castro again joins the group on percussion. And at times there is an almost magical sense to things. That is followed by "Intergalactic Sunset," the album's final original piece. Here it is the bass line that we first latch onto. It takes us into the world of the song. There is a sense of cool here too, a somewhat laid-back atmosphere, in which Dave's saxophone can soar at times. There is then a lively aspect to the piano lead. That's when things begin to pop. And Dave's saxophone work toward the end also has a wonderful energy.
On One Night At Chris', Dave Wilson covered "Norwegian Wood," and then on Live At Silvana, he chose The Beatles' "The Fool On The Hill." Now on this new album, he gives us a studio version of the latter. This one eases in and has a soothing effect. There are moments when I feel like I could just float away on this track. What a wonderful sensation. Lenny Castro is on percussion. Dave Wilson then delivers a hopping rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire." It begins with that great beat, and it isn't long at all before we are treated to some really nice, energetic stuff on piano. Later, there are sections in this track that are certainly mellower than anything on the Jimi Hendrix recording, but I love the journey. And there is a good drum solo near the end. The album then concludes with its second Jimmy Webb song, and, yes, of course it's "Wichita Lineman." The Dave Wilson Quartet does an excellent job with this beloved song. The work on saxophone is particularly moving, and the piano lead has a great vibe about it. Plus, the band jams a bit at the end. It all adds up to a excellent rendition.
CD Track List
- Let's Go
- These Days
- Eyes Of The World
- Adios
- When Even Goes East
- Slow Freeze
- Intergalactic Sunset
- The Fool On The Hill
- Fire
- Wichita Lineman
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