Higher Ground Hurricane Benefit Relief Concert

Wynton Marsalis

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Higher Ground Hurricane Benefit Relief Concert Review

by Steve Leggett

When Hurricane Katrina made landfall at New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and the levees failed, devastating the city, the world's complete attention was suddenly focused in on the cradle of jazz, and several benefit relief concerts were quickly organized, including the concert that is presented here, held September 17, 2005, at P. Rose Hall in New York City. The album itself is an elegant and measured affair, opening with a burst of energetic gospel from Shirley Caesar and Eric Reed, who deliver a stirring version of "This Joy," followed by trumpeter Terence Blanchard's stately, beautiful, and meditative "Over There." Other highlights include the Marcus Roberts Trio's take on Jelly Roll Morton's "New Orleans Blues," which is really a rather joyous rendition; Buckwheat Zydeco's stomping "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway"; and Norah Jones' stunning version of Randy Newman's brilliant and poignant "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," with its powerful and repeated refrain of "Human kindness is overflowing/I think it's going to rain today." In the wake of the tragedy many wondered what might become of New Orleans' unique culture and music, and this concert gives listeners a clue. It will not only survive, it will circle back on itself and draw strength and vitality from its storied past. The smooth sophistication of jazz might at times make it appear fragile, but it is anything but, and has always fed on the wild and unpredictable elements of its improvisational DNA. It will take a lot more than a storm surge to wash it away.

Track Listing

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
This Joy
Shirley Caesar / Eric Reed 02:52 SpotifyAmazon
2
Over There
Derrick Hodge
Terence Blanchard 07:31 SpotifyAmazon
3
Go to the Mardi Gras
Henry Roeland Byrd
Aaron Neville / Art Neville 05:08 SpotifyAmazon
4
Basin Street Blues
Spencer Williams
Diana Krall 05:52 SpotifyAmazon
5
Never Die Young
James Taylor 04:06 SpotifyAmazon
6
The House I Live In
Lewis Allan / Earl Robinson
Dianne Reeves 05:00 SpotifyAmazon
7
New Orleans Blues
Jelly Roll Morton
Marcus Roberts 04:58 SpotifyAmazon
8
I Think It's Going to Rain Today
Randy Newman
Norah Jones 03:04 SpotifyAmazon
9
Dippermouth Blues
Joseph Oliver
Wynton Marsalis 02:19 SpotifyAmazon
10
I'm Gonna Love You Anyway
T.J. Fox
Buckwheat Zydeco 04:50 SpotifyAmazon
11
Is That All There Is?
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
Bette Midler / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra 04:12 SpotifyAmazon
12
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Traditional
Irvin Mayfield 06:40 SpotifyAmazon
13
Here's to Life
A. Butler
The Jordan Family 06:21 SpotifyAmazon
14
Blackwell's Message
Joe Lovano
Joe Lovano 05:29 SpotifyAmazon
15
Come Sunday
Duke Ellington
Mark O'Connor / Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra / Cassandra Wilson 09:28 SpotifyAmazon
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Higher Ground Hurricane Benefit Relief Concert

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