DOUG WAMBLE
''BLUESTATE''
MAY 10 2005
73:42
1. If I Live To See The Day/8:01
2. Washing Of The Water/10:03
3. The Homewrecker Hump/4:43
4. Antoine's Pillow Rock/6:40
5. Rockin' Jerusalem/12:18
6. One Ninin'/7:12
7. No More Shrubs In Casablanca/7:46
8. Have A Talk With God/5:06
9. Gone Away/7:38
10. The Bear And The Toad/4:15
Roy Dunlap /Piano
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Producer, Sax (Tenor)
Peter Miles /Drums
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals
REVIEW
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble's second outing for Marsalis Music is a bit of a departure from the country blues-inflected sound of his debut disc, Country Libations. Featuring his longtime working ensemble of pianist Roy Dunlap, bassist Jeff Hanley, and drummer Peter Miles, Bluestate finds Wamble toning down his more old-timey influences in favor of a contemporary post-bop aesthetic. Also, Wamble has magnified the Southern gospel influences evident on Country Libations into a mix of folky gospel and complex harmonic jazz. The combination works particular well as Wamble, having expressed a wide array of influences from Charlie Christian to Pat Metheny, seems ever intent on forging new ground while always retaining certain valuable aspects of the jazz tradition. To these ends, he still performs with his hollow-body guitar amplified by a microphone in the old-school technique. The result is a robust, natural, almost horn-like sound that allows him an array of dynamic choices and tonal colors. Vocally, Wamble also displays growth, as on the opening track, the melancholy "If I Live to See the Day," which finds him lamenting the current paucity of peace and truth in the world. The track has a compelling Wayne Shorter-esque harmonic conception, and Wamble's burnished and supple vocals recall Kurt Elling. Similarly, Wamble digs into the traditional gospel hymn "Rockin' Jerusalem," showcasing his deft E-Bow skills on the bluesy and infectious track, which also features label owner Branford Marsalis on a burning tenor sax solo.
BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.
''BLUESTATE''
MAY 10 2005
73:42
1. If I Live To See The Day/8:01
2. Washing Of The Water/10:03
3. The Homewrecker Hump/4:43
4. Antoine's Pillow Rock/6:40
5. Rockin' Jerusalem/12:18
6. One Ninin'/7:12
7. No More Shrubs In Casablanca/7:46
8. Have A Talk With God/5:06
9. Gone Away/7:38
10. The Bear And The Toad/4:15
Roy Dunlap /Piano
Jeff Hanley /Bass
Branford Marsalis /Guest Artist, Producer, Sax (Tenor)
Peter Miles /Drums
Doug Wamble /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals
REVIEW
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble's second outing for Marsalis Music is a bit of a departure from the country blues-inflected sound of his debut disc, Country Libations. Featuring his longtime working ensemble of pianist Roy Dunlap, bassist Jeff Hanley, and drummer Peter Miles, Bluestate finds Wamble toning down his more old-timey influences in favor of a contemporary post-bop aesthetic. Also, Wamble has magnified the Southern gospel influences evident on Country Libations into a mix of folky gospel and complex harmonic jazz. The combination works particular well as Wamble, having expressed a wide array of influences from Charlie Christian to Pat Metheny, seems ever intent on forging new ground while always retaining certain valuable aspects of the jazz tradition. To these ends, he still performs with his hollow-body guitar amplified by a microphone in the old-school technique. The result is a robust, natural, almost horn-like sound that allows him an array of dynamic choices and tonal colors. Vocally, Wamble also displays growth, as on the opening track, the melancholy "If I Live to See the Day," which finds him lamenting the current paucity of peace and truth in the world. The track has a compelling Wayne Shorter-esque harmonic conception, and Wamble's burnished and supple vocals recall Kurt Elling. Similarly, Wamble digs into the traditional gospel hymn "Rockin' Jerusalem," showcasing his deft E-Bow skills on the bluesy and infectious track, which also features label owner Branford Marsalis on a burning tenor sax solo.
BIOGRAPHY
by Matt Collar
Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble is a jazz traditionalist in the best sense of the word. Combining music from his southern roots with jazz, Wamble creates a unique sound that touches upon rural blues, gospel, swing, and post-bop. Although initially inspired to take up jazz after hearing recordings of innovative guitarist Charlie Christian, the Tennessee native actually began his studies at Memphis State University as a record engineering major. It wasn't until attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert and seeing guitarist Russell Malone play that Wamble decided to pursue performing full-time. He eventually transferred to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and later earned his masters at Northwestern in Chicago. Along the way, Wamble added vocalist to his resume, a nice side-effect of learning lyrics to songs while driving to gigs. A move to New York City in 1997 brought Wamble into contact with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Subsequently, Wamble snagged high-profile gigs with vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Madeleine Peyroux, among others. He released his debut album, Country Libations, on saxophonist Branford Marsalis' label Marsalis Music in 2003. Bluestate followed in 2005.
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