Celestial Weather Explained

Celestial Weather
Type:studio
Artist:Wadada Leo Smith
Cover:Celestial Weather cover.jpeg
Released:2015
Recorded:June 16, 2012
Studio:Sear Sound, New York City
Genre:Jazz
Length:62:21
Label:TUM
Producer:Petri Haussila
Chronology:Wadada Leo Smith
Prev Title:June 6th 2013
Prev Year:2015
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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]

Reception

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."[2]

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."[3]

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."[4]

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."[5]

Track listing

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

Notes and References

  1. Original Liner Notes by Wadada Leo Smith
  2. Macnie, Jim. Celestial Weather review. Down Beat March 16: page 52. Print.
  3. McLenaghan, Dan. Celestial Weather review at All About Jazz
  4. Beuttler, Bill. Celestial Weather review at JazzTimes
  5. Robinson, Chris. Celestial Weather review at Point of Departure