Bootsie Barnes Quintet
Boppin' Round The Center
© 2003 Bootsie Barnes Quintet (format: CD-R)
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First rate, straight ahead jazz - an incredible mixture of foot tappin bepob, romantic ballads, and a little Latin swing. This CD has not only great tunes and arrangements, but also excellent originals, played only the way Bootsie can swing it.nazim
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If you were a budding jazz musician; and were raised in Philly, and had made music with the likes of Albert "Tootie" Heath, Lex Humphries, Spanky DeBrest, Lee Morgan, and a host of other young jazz musicians who went on to become internationally known, much would also be expected of you, for having been there, and done that.
Well, once-upon-a-time, a fellow named Robert "Bootsie" Barnes made music with those names, but unlike those named, he chose to stay close to home, rather than take to the road. But make no mistake, musically, Barnes was the equal to his boyhood comrades then, and remained so through the years. He is as celebrated at home, as some of them were. And still are, globally.
Charlie Parker was once a local artist. he was indigenous to some local comunity - so were Diz, Coltrane and so on. These great artists just decided to go beyond the confines of their communities for recognition. But as emphasized, Barnes stayed at home for the most part - and for almost four decades, has been as synonymous with the Philadelphia-region's jazz scene as Billy Penn, cheesesteaks, hoagies, TastyKakes and soft pretzels. He is often referred to as a local treasure. And to boot he must have some secret relationship with Father Time, because his playing seems to improve with the passing years. He handles the tenor saxophone as though it had arrived on the planet with him...like another appendage. His total command of the tenor saxophone instrument is somewhat surprising, considering that he didn't make it his chosen instrument until he was 19. Prior to the saxophone, it was piano lessons at age 6, and later drums.
Perhaps music came somewhat naturally to Barnes, since his father played trumpet in Bill Doggett's big band, and his cousin, Jimmy Hamilton, held a chair in Duke Ellington's reed section for some 20 years.
Barnes had another musically-inclined chum, who played drums, but soon discovered that comedy, rather than music was his forte. He went on to become a beloved, respected, and wealthy entertainer, known to all as Bill Cosby. Cos and Barnes grew up together in a housing project, and when Cosby became famous, he didn't forget his roots in jazz, nor did he forget his pal Bootsie Barnes. During the 80's, Barnes toured with Cosby, opening shows for him. Barnes again toured with Cosby, playing the Playboy and Newport Jazz Festivals in 2001.
Barnes pays respects to Cosby on an original tune on this CD, titled, "Cosby's Capers" a.k.a. "Boppin' Round the Center" - the title of the CD. The song has to do with the way Barnes, Cosby and friends use to do the dance known as the "Bop," at the recreation center in the Richard Allen Projects. "Three Miles Out," is another Barnes original.
You're sure to like some of the time-honored standard-pop tunes...like "Young and Foolish, "All The Way," and "Felicidad." Jazz enthusiasts will recognize and take to, the jazz standards, "Soul Trane," "Ray's Idea," and "You Taught My Heart to Sing," a beautiful ballad written by McCoy Tyner.
The rhythm section is comprised of pianist Farid Barron, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer, Craig McIver. John Swana, trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso is on four cuts.
For several decades Barnes has serviced the Philadelphia region with some of the finest jazz music it has ever heard. Hopefully this CD, will familiarize his name and his unique sound, well beyond Philadelphia and its environs. Barnes deserves the exposure; and those unfamiliar with his artistry, deserve to hear him.
Enjoy "Boppin' Round the Center"
reviews
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Beyond Great
author: R SunshineGreat CD. First heard a cut on WBGO Newark, and it took me almost a year to get my copy, since it was out of stock. Now that I have the CD, I am thrilled with the whole record. Top notch players, performances, good (if a bit too clean) production. But the heart of the music comes through, as does the amazing tone and facility of Barnes' tenor. Bootsie, I am planning to call you for my next record. Hope I can get you, man. You are the baddest.
This ranks right up there with the best straight ahead hard bop that I've heard
author: Leo Northington Jr.Boppin' Around the Center is just what it says. These guys are boppin' right in the middle of the pocket. There is no pretense here. These great musicians sound like they are in their own beds..sleeping in the same room! The groove, the big sound, the compositions, the organic relationship between the musicians, and the engineered quality of the recording are all there. Buy It!
Driving hard bop from big-toned tenor man.
author: John HerrI have this veteran Philadelphia tenor saxophonist's 2 CDs on the French Riviera label, which were ballad sessions. This self-produced effort concentrates on medium-up material delivered in a little more aggressive style, but all 3 show Barnes as an essentially lyrical player with a big, sure tone. This guy is a past master of his instrument who invests each note with honest emotion. In the great muscular tradition of Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Gene Ammons and Stanley Turrentine. I recommend this CD to listeners who dig mainstream tenor men with a broad, deep sound and straight-ahead approach. (Rating system for CDBaby site needs to be clarified. I rate this release 3 out of 4 stars, but dropdown menu goes to 5 stars, like Down Beat. If 4 is great, then 3 should be an excellent rating, but confused reviewers may feel they have to rate everything 4 out of 5 to show enthusiasm for a CD. Keep it simple, and get rid of that 5th star, CDBaby!)
CD of the Year!
author: John TemmermanThis is a tremendous CD from start to finish. Bootsie's an incredible player. He has it all: technique, sound, taste, communication. The arrangements and the other players are wonderful as well. I buy a bunch of CD, mainly saxophone players as I am one myself. This is the best CD I've gotten this year. Do yourself a favor and pick one up. If you like jazz saxophone, you'll LOVE this.
Bootsie is a hard-bop GOD
author: Jan KlincewiczBootsie represents what Philadelphia has long given the world. He is a kick-ass, take-no-prisoners tenor man, and has surrounded himself here with young lions who may lack his life experience but follow his heart. Inter-generational music such as this is all too rare, and to hear a literal passing of the flame in progress is a treat too good to pass up. This is history in the making, captured all too infrequently. Don't miss owning a CD like this.
a great cd deserving more radio airplay and praise
author: chas. f. sandersafter initially hearing the cd on wbgo-fm, i purchased the cd and have continuously enjoyed the music. each cut is great and the cd genuinely flows. the quintet plays well w/ one another, individually and collectively.
Joyful bop sound had me humming all day long.
author: Weaver LilleyBootsie's heartfelt joy pours out of this CD, Bopping Around the Center, and his mood has infected the rest of the quintet. Get this disk if you want to get the bug too.