Not in Our Name
Charlie Haden’s first album as a leader was 1969’sLiberation Music Orchestra, and the bassist has been revisiting the project ever since. The concept of the project is to take a big band and record songs devoted to issues of human rights and political liberation, whether expressed in original compositions or revolutionary anthems from Spain, South Africa and Latin America.Not in Our Nameis devoted to American music and current political tensions. Once again, it is arranged by pianist Carla Bley, who initially created the band’s distinctive sound; an impassioned, often dissonant lyricism combining a village brass band, a frequent Spanish tinge, free jazz and folk music. Propelled by drummer Matt Wilson, the band ranges here from classical themes (Barber’s "Adagio for Strings" and Dvorak’s "Goin’ Home") to songs by Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell (his "Throughout" is highlighted by the contrasting tenor saxophones of Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby) to the traditional "Amazing Grace," a feature for Haden’s soulful, melodic bass.--Stuart Broomer