A Waltz for Grace is the debut album by English saxophonist Steve Williamson, released on the Verve label in 1990.
| A Waltz for Grace | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Studio | Westside Studios, London and Systems Two Studios, New York | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 58:35 | |||
| Label | Verve | |||
| Producer | Steve Coleman, Glenn Skinner, Steve Williamson | |||
| Steve Williamson chronology | ||||
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Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz |  [2] |
The Los Angeles Times stated that "U.S.-session bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Mark Mondesir ... provide inventive rhythmic stimulus which Williamson uses for demonstrations of reserve as well as gut-busting enthusiasm."[3]
AllMusic awarded the album with 3 stars and its review by Scott Yanow states: "At 25, Williamson displayed an original tenor sound and, although some of his soloing is in the Greg Osby/Gary Thomas 'M-Base' mode, he was not limited to that abstract style of improvising".[1] The Penguin Guide review says: "What is lastingly impressive about A Waltz for Grace is its tremendous rhythmic variety. 'Groove Thang' (a UK recorded soprano-percussion duet) leads directly into the fuller-sounding 'Synthesis' from New York, both largely dependent on Williamson's ability to balance a line over a jolting, staccato pulse".[2]
Track listing
editAll compositions by Steve Williamson except where noted.
- "Down (Slang)" – 3:18
- "Awakening" – 4:35
- "Visions" (Stevie Wonder) – 4:29
- "A Waltz for Grace" – 4:15
- "Mandy's Mood" – 5:49
- "Soon Come" – 4:14
- "Straight Ahead" – 4:45
- "Mandela" – 4:29
- "Groove Thang" – 1:42
- "Synthesis" – 4:59
- "Hummingbird" – 5:41
- "How High the Bird" – 4:22
- "Words Within Words" – 5:01
Personnel
edit- Steve Williamson – all saxophones
- Mark Mondesir – drums
- Lonnie Plaxico – bass
- Gary Crosby – bass
- Dave Gilmore – guitar
- Hawi Gondwe – guitar
- Julian Joseph – piano
- Abbey Lincoln – vocals on "A Waltz for Grace"
References
edit- ^ a b Yanow, S.AllMusic: A Waltz for Grace accessed 1 May 2010
- ^ a b Richard Cook and Brian Morton, The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette (Penguin, 1992: ISBN 978-0-14-015364-4).
- ^ Kohlhaase, Bill (29 July 1990). "'A Waltz for Grace'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 64.