Crusaders Way Back Home CD

WAY BACK HOME is a collection of The Crusaders' material including tracks from LOOKIN' AHEAD, FREEDOM SOUND, TOUGH TALK, LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE '66, LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE '68, LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE '69, OLD SOCKS NEW SHOES, NEW SOCKS OLD SHOES, CRUSADERS I, THE SECOND CRUSADE, SCRATCH, SOUTHERN COMFORT, UNSUNG HEROES, CHAIN REACTION, FREE AS THE WIND, IMAGES, and STREET LIFE.

The music on this four-CD box set is mostly excellent, and this is not a bad sampler of the recordings of the (Jazz) Crusaders, but there are some problems. The 1961-70 group is covered much too quickly in the first disc, and the last two discs jump around chronologically throughout the '70s. The lack of recording dates is rather inexcusable, and the odd programming makes it difficult to trace the popular band's evolution. On the other hand, the extensive liner notes by Quincy Troupe are refreshingly honest, and many of the high points of the group's existence (including "The Young Rabbits," "Freedom Sound," "Eleanor Rigby," "Put It Where You Want It," their classic rendition of "So Far Away," and "Street Life") are included. Worth picking up by beginners, although veteran collectors will prefer to get the more complete original sets instead. ~ Scott Yanow

Includes liner notes by Quincy Troupe.

The Crusaders: Wilton Felder (vocals, saxophone, electric bass); Wayne Henderson (vocals, trombone); Joe Sample (vocals, piano, keyboards); Nesbit "Stix" Hooper (vocals, drums, percussion).

Additional personnel include: Randy Crawford (vocals); Jerome Richardson (alto saxophone); Robert Bryant, Jr. (tenor saxophone); Garnett Brown (trombone); Maurice Spears (baritone saxophone); Bill Green (baritone saxophone); Robert Bryant, Oscar Brashear (trumpet); Larry Carlton, Roy Gaines, Arthur Adams, Freddie Robinson, David T. Walker, Bill Rogers, Dean Parks, Roland Bautista (guitar); Chuck Rainey, Robert "Pops" Popwell (electric bass); Jimmy Bond, Bobby Haynes, Leroy Vinnegar, Buster Williams, Max Bennett (bass); Ralph MacDonald, Paulinho DaCosta (percussion).

Producers: Stewart Levine, Stix Hooper, Wilton Felder, Joe Sample, Richard Bock.

Compilation producer: Stewart Levine.

Personnel: The Crusaders (vocals); Randy Crawford (vocals); David T. Walker, Dean Parks, Freddy Robinson , Larry Carlton, Roland Bautista , Roy Gaines, Arthur Adams , Billy Rogers (guitar); Wilton Felder (saxophone, tenor saxophone, electric bass); Jerome Richardson (alto saxophone); Robert Bryant (tenor saxophone, trumpet); Bill Green (baritone saxophone); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); Wayne Henderson (trombone); Garnett Brown, Maurice Spears (tenor trombone); Joe Sample (piano, keyboards); Chuck Rainey, Max Bennett, Robert Popwell (electric bass); Stix Hooper (drums, percussion); Paulinho Da Costa, Ralph MacDonald (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Quincy Troupe.

Recording information: ??/??/1961-03/26/1996.Q (12/96, p.152) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...a sax and trombone frontline that complemented each other perfectly; a pianist...who was able to colour or lead, and a drummer...who could have propelled an ocean liner....A great box set that hits the bullseye on a great '70s group."