Americana, Vol. 2

Americana Vol 2 celebrates both African-American organised-labour history and timeless musical values, but with a vividly contemporary take on both. — Jazzwise, December 2022, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 9th Sep 2022
Catalogue No: SCD2202
Label: Savant
Length: 48 minutes

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9th September 2022
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JD Allen: Up South

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trad.: This World Is a Mean World

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JD Allen: The Werk Song

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JD Allen: Hammer and Hoe

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Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker: You Don't Know Me

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J.D. Allen III

JD Allen: Jackie and Johnny

Work length3:24

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J.D. Allen III

JD Allen: Mickey and Mallory

Work length3:28

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J.D. Allen III

JD Allen: A Mouthful of Forevers

Work length3:35

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J.D. Allen III

JD Allen: The Battle of Blair Mountain

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JD Allen: Irene (Mother)

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J.D. Allen III

JD Allen: Down South

Work length3:51

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J.D. Allen III

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Recording of the Week, J.D. Allen, 'Americana Vol. 2'

9th September 2022

The saxophonist and composer offers a record reflecting on roots, American history and blues music, joined by long-time bandmates Rudy Royston and Gregg August, as well as virtuoso guitarist Charlie Hunter.

Together with 'Americana: Musings on Jazz and Blues' (SCD2155X), and 'Barracoon' (SCD2177), two of JD Allen's previous Savant releases, 'Americana Vol 2' forms a trilogy of sorts, exploring and encapsulating a universal spirit based in roots and reflection.

But despite the profound political, racial, financial and historic issues examined by Allen and company, at the central musical core of all three recordings is the underestimated but crucial role the blues has played in the history of jazz and how it continues to evolve and influence the art form today. On 'Americana Vol. 2' Allen continues this investigation with his long-time colleagues Gregg August and Rudy Royston, but is now joined by guitarist Charlie Hunter, who shares not only Allen's interest in the blues and its legacy, but they also share many similar life experiences.

As Allen himself says, "(Charlie's) music brings light to me as a listener. When we met, we found out that we grew up in different areas of the country, but our experiences happen to be very similar. That's Americana right there. I wanted that on this record." Here the blues not only provides a welcome outlet for tension and gentle melodicism but it also gives us an unflinching look into deep-seated and long-lived injustices, particularly via the almost expressionistic utterances of three trio-only tracks. Once again JD Allen shows himself to be a player and composer as remarkable for his directness of communication as he is for the sometimes unforgiving sternness of his message.

JD Allen: tenor saxophone

Charlie Hunter: guitar

Gregg August: bass

Rudy Royston: drums

Reviews

December 2022

Americana Vol 2 celebrates both African-American organised-labour history and timeless musical values, but with a vividly contemporary take on both.

December 2022

Overall, though, Americana Vol. 2 is a triumph, allowing Allen’s gorgeous, full-bodied tone to speak to us over an expanded and newly expressive format.

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Recording of the Week, J.D. Allen, 'Americana Vol. 2'

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