Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard

I actually heard about this CD from a friend of mine, who mentioned Joshua's take on Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas". After the stunning 4 minute introduction to the head of the tune, the band takes off.

The drummer, Brian Blade, several months ago held a clinic at a local jazz festival that my high school friends (who happen to be rhythm section players) and I played at. I was at a saxophone clinic at the time, but they said Brian was an amazing player, and this CD really shows his talent on the drums.

The uptempo C-minor blues, "Herbs $ Roots" is probably the most energetic recorded tune I have herd Joshua record to date (though I haven't heard ALL of his recordings yet). I did my best to read the solo transcription to it while it was playing.

In general, what a great, energetic CD with tons of amazing solos and transitions.

P.S. If you haven't been to the VV, I suggest you do so!


fun set   May 6, 2004
Rob Watkins (Augusta, Georgia United States)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

two minutes into this double cd, and you will remember why you love jazz in the first place--it's flat out fun! occasionally, jazz artists, critics, fans, et al, get lost in their own rhetoric defending the art of jazz and forget that jazz, like all music, is supposed to be fun. jazz is a wonderful art form, giving voice to the purely improvisational, the free spirit within us that compels us to create, to respond to our environment, and reveal the depth and breadth of feeling carried within us. mr. redman is more than proficient. he is an artist and an improviser of high order. but he also remembers to swing, to dance, and play. right from the get-go this album captures your heart and soul and for the next couple of hours holds you there. when you're done, you don't feel exhausted, but refreshed, like you would have been had you been in the vanguard the night this went down. this is a great live set by an artist who keeps right on enjoying what he's doing. enjoy!


Mr. Redman at his best!!!!!!!1   January 6, 2004
Mike Walton (Valdosta, GA)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

If I had to sum this album up in one word, I wouldn't be able to. This album is by far the best of Joshua Redman's work ( next to the album Elastic) Mr. Redmans albums are always superb, but they're nothing compared to the power he displays in live performances. The first time I saw or heard him play was at the Jacksonville jazz festival in the Spring of 2003 and I was floored! I was so completely mesmerized by his playing that I ran up next to the stage to get closer look and then found myself dancing to his solos. I soon stopped, when Joshua noticed me and began staring at me while he was playing and after taking a solo. He stared at me for quite some time too. The next day I went out and hunted down every Joshua Redman album I could find. This album brings back memories of that night. The energy from him comes thrugh this album so clearly. Every note he plays, packs a punch. A very powerful album indeed. A must buy for any fan of music!!!!


A clash of Musical Revisions and Musical Genius.......   April 3, 2002
Andrew Calhoun Jr. (Greensboro, NC USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I've had this CD for quite sometime and out of all the CD's I have in my possesion, I believe Joshua is ranked in the Top 5, if not the 1st, of the most influentical Contemporary artists for me and a personal rolemodel for me as a musician myself. This CD also highlights his ascending position in the Jazz World today. Some of my favorite tracks on the First of the two CD's are My One and Only Love. Even though it may seem just as a standard recreation of a valued classic, Joshua's use of glissandos (a techincal term, I know, but listen to the preview and u'll be able to recognize it when u hear it) and lip slides add a whole new level to the piece, one where self-expression is give the song a whole new value to the listener. Also his layed back style of soloing almost in a way, messes with the speed of the song for the better.

One more song I'd like to highlight is Second Snow. A very waltzy type of performance which adds gracefullness that can be like snow. It's soft & relaxed mood adds an atmospheric setting for me. His progression in the improvisation section also moves relaxed and layed back and as he gets further to the end of his solo, it becomes more complicated but not without a purpose, it follows through with a climatic end.

Bottom line, this is a valued CD to have in my collection and I'm sure for most people, you would value it too.


Grooves!!   October 26, 2001
G. Sawaged (Canada)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a truly brilliant live 2cd set. And live is the way to hear jazz, and this album gives you the feeling that you are there in person. You can feel the excitement of the crowd. Redman and his quartet are excellent, and this set also shows off Joshua's songwriting skills, as all but 5 are written by him. I wasn't familiar with Redman until I purchased this album, and I was not at all disappointed. I mustn't forget the other musicians though, who also deserve to be mentioned. Peter Martin on piano, Christopher Thomas on bass, and Brian Blade on drums. Together, they make for a wonderful album which should belong in all jazz fans' collections.