BETTY CARTER - Feed The Fire (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Taken from a live 1993 performance in London, Feed the Fire is an album filled with surprises. Betty Carter is known for her practice of featuring hot new up-and-coming musicians in her bands, but on this recording she is accompanied by established, world-class talent: Geri Allen, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette. Dave Holland demonstrates why he is one of the greatest living bassists with his unerring sense of melody and pitch. Jack DeJohnette, an acknowledged master of the drums for 30 years, is nothing less than explosive, punctuating the solo statements of his bandmates with powerful flurries. Allen's touch is reminiscent of Keith Jarrett's at times, such as on her excellent solo on "Love Notes." Although Carter shares the spotlight unselfishly, her own contributions are clearly the focal point of Feed the Fire. On the fantastic title track, Allen sets up a percolating rhythmic figure, joined by Holland and DeJohnette. Then Carter enters, scatting her way through the changes, eschewing singing in the traditional sense. Her vocal improvisations are on par with any instrumentalists, a claim one cannot make about many singers. On ballads, such as the exquisite "Lover Man," Carter soars, caressing the melodies with a satin touch, dancing around the music with impeccable phrasing, dropping low into her register for punctuation. It is heady, hypnotizing stuff. Feed the Fire is an interesting album, with many wonderful moments, such as the unison ascending figures in "Sometimes I'm Happy" or the Carter/DeJohnette duet of "What Is This Tune?" However, it is not perfect, and tends to drag toward the end. Tracks go on for too long, and, as wonderful as Carter's singing is, and as compelling as it is to listen to the interaction of these four great musicians, the quality of the music itself tends to wander a bit. Nevertheless, it is a strong album, well worth searching out. Daniel Gioffre  
Tracklist :
1    Feed The Fire 11'20
Composed By – Geri Allen
2    Love Notes 7'11
Composed By – Betty Carter, Mark Zubek
3    Sometimes I'm Happy 3'33
Composed By – Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
4    Lover Man 9'13
Composed By – Jimmy Davis, Jimmy Sherman, Roger "Ram" Ramirez
5    I'm All Smiles 5'26
Composed By – Herbert Martin, Michael Leonard
6    If I Should Lose You 6'24
Composed By – Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
7    All Or Nothing At All 8'11
Composed By – Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
8    What Is This Tune? 7'20
Composed By – Betty Carter, Jack DeJohnette
9    Day Dream 12'08
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, John Latouche
10    B's Blues 2:21
Composed By – Betty Carter
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland (pistas: 1 to 5, 7, 9, 10)
Drums – Jack DeJohnette (pistas: 1 to 5, 8 to 10)
Piano – Geri Allen (pistas: 1 to 6, 9, 10)
Vocals – Betty Carter