Tony Williams Wilderness CD

Personnel: Tony Williams (drums); Jack Smalley (conductor); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Walt Fowler (trumpet); Rick Todd, David Duke (French horn); Alan Kaplan (trombone); Susan Greenberg, Gerri Rotella (flute); Charles Boito, Ralph Williams (clarinet); Earle Dumler, Chris Bleth (oboe); Rose Corrigan (bassoon); Ralph Morrison, Kathy Lenski, Karen Jones (violin); Brian dembow, Alexis Carreon (viola); Steve Erdody (cello); Katie Kirkpatrick (harp); Herbie Hancock (piano); John Van Tongeren (keyboards); Pat Metheny, Lyle Workman (guitar); Stanley Clarke, Chuck Berghoffer (bass); David Garibaldi, Bob Zimmitti (percussion).
Producers: Tony Williams, John Richards, John Van Tongeren.
Recorded at Sound Chamber and O' Henry's Studios, Los Angeles, California in December 1995.
Personnel: Tony Williams (drums); Patti Matheny, Lyle Workman (guitar); Katie Kirkpatrick (harp); Ken Yerke, Karen Jones, Sheryl Staples, Kathleen Lenski, Ralph Morrison, Margaret Wooten, Liane Mautner, Mario Diaz de Leon (violin); Kenneth Burward-Hoy, Margot MacLaine, Alexis Carreon, Brian Dembow (viola); Stephen Erdody, Armen Ksadjikian (cello); Susan Greenberg, Geri Rotella (flute); Ralph Williams , Charles Boito (clarinet); Earl Dumler, Chris Bleth (oboe); John Steinmetz, Rose Corrigan (bassoon); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Walt Fowler (trumpet); David Duke, Rick Todd (French horn); Alan Kaplan (trombone); Herbie Hancock (piano); David Garibaldi, Robert Zimmitti (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Dann Michael Thompson.
One of drummer Tony Williams' final studio projects, this adventurous effort alternates selections by an all-star quintet (which includes tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarist Pat Metheny, pianist Herbie Hancock and bassist Stanley Clarke) with string orchestra tracks (usually using the rhythm section). Williams wrote most of the music (there is one song apiece from Metheny and Clarke), and despite the general unpredictability of the music (which ranges from melancholy to fiery), there is a surprising unity throughout the CD. Highlights include the pretty opener for strings "Wilderness Rising," a lyrical quintet number, "The Night You Were Born," the rockish freakout "China Moon" and the heated "Gambia"; only guitarist Lyle Workman's guest spot on his droning "Machu Picchu" is a minus. Otherwise, this is intriguing music that rewards repeated listenings, making one further appreciate the great loss suffered as a result of Tony Williams' premature death. ~ Scott Yanow
One of drummer Tony Williams' final studio projects, this adventurous effort alternates selections by an all-star quintet (which includes tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarist Pat Metheny, pianist Herbie Hancock, and bassist Stanley Clarke) with string orchestra tracks (usually using the rhythm section). Williams wrote most of the music (there is one song apiece from Metheny and Clarke), and despite the general unpredictability of the music (which ranges from melancholy to fiery), there is a surprising unity throughout Wilderness. Highlights include the pretty opener for strings "Wilderness Rising," a lyrical quintet number, "The Night You Were Born," the rock-ish freak-out "China Moon," and the heated "Gambia"; only guitarist Lyle Workman's guest spot on his droning "Machu Picchu" is a minus. Otherwise, this is intriguing music that rewards repeated listenings, making one further appreciate the great loss suffered as a result of Tony Williams' premature death. [In 2003, Wilderness was reissued with an alternate track listing.]~ Scott YanowDown Beat (3/97, p.45) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...covers a wide range of terrain, from funky, beat-driven material to pastoral, neo-classical orchestral music..."