Ben Allison -- Cowboy Justice

[Gary Sisco]

I can't recall a thread about this one so thought I'd start one. Sorry if it's a repeat.

Another good one in a string of good ones I consider essential (Seven Arrows I consider nice for completists but not essential; it was good but Ben was still formulating the sound he'd perfect soon after and has only continued to since). "Cowboy Justice" has a latiny feel to it, a lot of it, and not necessarily for the drumming as you'd imagine saying that, but more for the basslines and changes. Most of the song titles are clearly potshots at Bushfeldcheneywitzponte, Inc. Which is fine with me.

I like the whole thing a lot. There's one tune on it that seems to my ears a bit too close for comfort to one of Marc Ribot's covers on the Cubanos Postizos CDs (amplified by Cardenas's guitar sound which on that one shows a heavy Ribot influence). But, quibbling here. I also haven't read the notes and credits and such so I could be talking through my hat for all I know. I just got it yesterday and heard it once only last night. I never look at notes before a first listen except to check personnel.

Another fine CD from our man Ben, as we've come to expect over the years. Good melodies, nice changes, everyone's playing fine.

And only a few minutes over lp length at 47 minutes and change (as many here know, that's the length I prefer; I usually think most CDs are too long).

[Lois Gilbert]

Gary thanks for starting this thread. I'm surprised you didn't comment on the political theme to Cowboy Justice.

By the way, it available through http://jazzcares.com sent out by Ben directly.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

I'm surprised you didn't comment on the political theme to Cowboy Justice.

He did, Lois.

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Most of the song titles are clearly potshots at Bushfeldcheneywitzponte, Inc. Which is fine with me.

I heard a track from this album last week while listening to my friend Ron Fundingsland's weekly jazz show, Straight Ahead on KSUT-FM. Very nice, indeed.

[Stuckinagroove]

wow. I didn't realize he had a new one out, I'll definitely be picking this up. I prefer his stuff with larger groups (medicine wheel) as opposed to small groups (peace pipe)...he's such a talented writer, it's great to hear what he does with the orchestration.

I'll be picking this up regardless...

[shrugs]

Can he fail?

Just getting around to hearing this but Ben is spot on once again.

Great tunes is all you can ask for....

and beautiful melodies...............

and Horton's smears on Midnight Cowboy......

[Vince Kargatis]

The cover of "Midnight Cowboy" is really pretty.

[chuckyd4]

Haven't listened to this one in months, but just put it back on. So far it's really holding up well; in fact it seems quite better than I remember initially.

[Ron Thorne]

I need to add this one to my list. There's always room for one more superb CD, and I have a few from Ben.

[Mike Schwartz]

Ron Horton plays a beautiful session...when preparing for Ben's KSJS appearance around "Cowboy Justice," caught wind of Ron's wonderful CD that came out near that time on Fresh Sounds label, and had Ron on the show as well.

Ron is the nicest cat one could imagine,and he lives in the neighborhood in NY that I was born & raised in. Works at a shop that restores old British automobiles beyond the music, that plays Jazz in the shop constantly!

[JamesH]

I'm putting that one on my list to pick up soon. Only because Sisco's comments of the past have led me to Glasper, Jason Moran and Greg Osby