Grover Washington, Jr. | Grover Live

Grover Washington, Jr. | Grover LiveBy George StrandThe great memory of Grover Washington, Jr. – An honorable musician with God-given talents and a radiant persona. His professionalism on & off the stage is something many of us have cherished throughout the years. His music is past the element of timeless, I believe. Grovers’ music can be played back whenever, however, wherever. Through music video’s, to record players, from reel-to-reel, to cassette tape. The importance & intelligence of his sound exuberate harmony at the highest level. So, it didn’t surprise me to know that a live concert, Recorded on June 7, 1997 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, New York, from Mr. Washington is to be released for the first time by G Man Productions in May 2010.

Let’s consider something here in hindsight: There is a complete difference – a separation – in listening to music recorded & finished from the studio, than a live recording from musicians on stage who come in the house to perform & take their talents to the highest platform. One might suggest that when an artist(s) engage themselves before the public with their task to give the fans what they want in pure, unadulterated, unfiltered musical entertainment, you apparently & would hope that you will get the absolute best out of the artist. I believe this is the importance of “Grover Live” – to catch a glimpse of some of the best Grover & his band had to offer from the bandstand. I, for one, have been blessed and entertained by some of the brightest jazz musicians and vocalists on earth to know the difference: The Jazz Crusaders, Return to Forever (these guys were no Joke on stage back then and still no Joke today) Earth, Wind & Fire (in the early 80’s – a powerhouse – I used to think of seeing them as if it was a ‘special event’, not just a regular gig. That’s how big E.W.F. was), George Benson (before he started singing and was adventurously in charge with that guitar/CTI days) , Ella Fitzgerald (Simply amazing in concert), Miles Davis (yes..it always stuck with me on how a man could play as relentless as Miles did with the trumpet, and in between sets, he would smoke a cigarette or two), and so on. But I never in my lifetime was able to see Grover live. If you give me another chance to do it, all bets would be off, appointments would be canceled & my next flight out of town will be booked well in advance. Turn that concert outing into a vacation.

My Friends, “Grover Live“ is a centerpiece to jazz music, highlighting most of Grover’s ‘Greatest Hits’, so to speak from throughout his career. Take for a few medley’s on the disc, the CD served me with memories to his “Live In The Bijou”, double LP classic, his “Live In Concert” DVD & a certain imagination of what Grover and his band was doing on stage that evening.

Now, taken for granted, some live performances don’t come out energetic, appealing & precious the way this recording did. It was certainly great. I give the review of this CD an early ranking of 4+ out of 5. But what should be noted here is also the appreciation & satisfying performances of the band members who came out that evening, joined Grover on stage, and literally grabbed the fans attention for a few moments of hypnotizing solos. For one, Gerald Veasley strutted the funk out of the bass on “Let It Flow”, Richard Lee’s guitar grace electrified “Mr. Magic” and Pablo Bautista worked the percussions magically in “Sausalito”.

Music like this should be re-released on DVD with all the high-end mark-ups, like interviews, concert footage in different angles, high definition & 6.1 surround sound. I believe as a lover of jazz music, a listen of “Grover Live” will leave you no choice but to request this recording to be given an option for video content. You will eventually want it on DVD. Make no mistake about it. That’s the only caveat I see possibly coming down the line.

As for the CD, I take “Grover Live” as a celebration in the life of a musical giant who left us with an enormous wealth of good, replayable (play it over & over again), successful contemporary jazz compositions. And a great personality to go with it. It is perhaps the sole reason why many folks in the industry refer to Grover as ‘The Godfather of The Urban Contemporary Jazz Scene’.

George Strand
The Urban Music Scene