New Morning: 25th Anniversary 1981-2006

On this two-disc, four-hour compilation, solid live performances overcome a presentation that's adequate at best, shoddy at worst. Although billed as an “anniversary” release, no history of Paris' “New Morning” nightclub is offered here (owner and "high priestess" Eglal Farhi is seen briefly, but isn't interviewed), and while the club has been around since 1981, not a single performance here dates back prior to '94. No musicians other than the bandleaders are identified, nor are all the tunes (conguero Ray Barretto introduces a song as "a Wayne Shorter composition," but doesn't give the name; so instead of doing some research, the DVD compilers simply list it as "Wayne's Composition"). These will seem like minor quibbles to many, and it's true that some of the music transcends such annoyances. The range of musical styles is impressive, from Delta blues (John Hammond's "Walking Blues") to straight-ahead jazz (by Clark Terry, Ray Brown, Joe Lovano, and others) and Latin (Barretto, Omar Sosa, Paolo Fresu). There's also a whole lot of guitar picking, ranging from tasty offerings by Robben Ford, Duke Robillard, and the trio of Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie, and Brazilian songstress Badi Assad, to Mike Stern's heavy jazz-rock and a lengthy jam by Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather on a version of Jimi Hendrix's "Red House." A decent musical grab bag, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)