Sanctified Shells

Amazon.com
Trombonist Steve Turre's second instruments are shells, and they're just that--large conch shells with minimal modifications to turn them into musical instruments. He first played them publicly with Roland Kirk's band in the 1970s, and they represent a deep spiritual connection for him, reaching to the origins of music making and tapping into a universal connection. Their sound is at once unearthly and deeply rooted in human experience, hollow yet full, and their special resonance is explored to telling effect by Turre and his company of doubling trombonists, as they shift back and forth between familiar and exotic idioms. The music ranges from the heady funk of "Gumbo" to the raga of "Beautiful India" and the sizzling rhythms of the Afro-Cuban powerhouse "Macho." --Stuart Broomer

Sanctified Shells,Steve Turre,Uni/Mercury

Jazz

Music

jazz

Tracks:

Exploration
Gumbo
African Shells: First Interlude-Strength
Macho (Para Machito)
African Shells: Second Interlude-The Dream
Beautiful India
Toreador
African Shells: Third Interlude-Happiness
Sanctified Shells
Spirit Man

Amazon.com

Trombonist Steve Turre's second instruments are shells, and they're just that--large conch shells with minimal modifications to turn them into musical instruments. He first played them publicly with Roland Kirk's band in the 1970s, and they represent a deep spiritual connection for him, reaching to the origins of music making and tapping into a universal connection. Their sound is at once unearthly and deeply rooted in human experience, hollow yet full, and their special resonance is explored to telling effect by Turre and his company of doubling trombonists, as they shift back and forth between familiar and exotic idioms. The music ranges from the heady funk of "Gumbo" to the raga of "Beautiful India" and the sizzling rhythms of the Afro-Cuban powerhouse "Macho." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Nice sound.......2002-01-18

I like the shell sound, and the music is very creative.

Shell Shocked!.......2000-10-12

To me, this is one of the most surprising CD's ever made. A couple of guys with their feet right in the heart of the jazz scene of the seventies and eighties, and one of them has got a dream - and enough vision to carry out the dream and make it an audible reality for us. In the liner notes of this album Steve Turre states that the shell is probably one of the first musical instruments mankind had (hollow trees for drums is another, as well as the didgeridoo is yet another), and that by making modern day music on a shell, we tap into a universe that is very old indeed.

Okay, so I have this Steve Turre CD with one song on it in which shells are blown. I like that one song so much that I indulge and buy this one. As a gimmick. To make people guess. To have a party trick. What happens? It is a brilliant CD. You totally forget that you are listening to shells. These guys cook up a brew very much its own, and very enjoyable. There's some serious composing on this record, and some very serious music making. But still every note reflects the fun these people had while recording. They enjoy themselves immensely and you can hear that.

The fact that this is a CD with music on it, instead of just sound, came as a complete shock. I admit that at first I had to laugh at the idea of blowing shells in a state-of-the-art recording studio, but when I heard what they did they made me laugh for pure listening enjoyment.

If you like a nice surprise in your CD player, and you are into jazz, go out and buy this one. Oops, what am I saying? You're on amazon, and you don't have to go out. Just click that button, ladies and gentlemen! Add to your shopping cart.

Finally an escape from the standard.......2000-02-03

Africa, Brazil or the land down under, Steve Turre's CD "Sanctified Shells" seems to visit each of these lands. Finally, a fresh and interesting sound from a very deserving artist. In my opinion this CD is his best yet. His shells are at times a cross between the french horn and a muffed alto sax, yet possesing a distinct sound from either instrument. This CD capture's your attention from the first track until the last. I'm completely satisfied with Mr. Turre's 1993 musical endeavor. His music is reminiscent of walks on the beach or a long, relaxing scenic drive with a loved one. I recommend this conversation piece to all jazz music lovers.

Much more than a gimick..........1999-02-12

It looks like a gimick: Turre invites some of his trombone-blowing friends to blow insteda into shells. The compositions range from cuban to indian(!) to bop, so you may think he's just showing off the strange sound of the shells. But no -- there's real essence behind this craziness. Turre has a real vision, a concept of sound, and it just ends up organic and real. What happens is you forget that this is a "weird" ensemble (e.g., 3 shells, bass, percussion and a solo trombone) and you just hear strong, commited music.

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