Recorded in August 1979
The name of this group, Old and New Dreams, is a play on the fact that this group was originally the epochal Ornette Coleman Quartet; however, in the reconstituted band, Dewey Redman replaced Coleman, giving the quartet a sound that is both familiar and very different.
The group recorded for both ECM and Black Saint. Their self-titled ECM effort is amazing. It's the Old and New Dreams LP that I pull from the shelf most frequently.
What a great group formed around a great concept. Worth it for the long "Lonely Woman" on side 1 (or track 1 on your digital copy). It's fun to focus in on each musician, and I especially admire Ed Blackwell who is a unique jazz drummer (for whom I can't find the proper words to describe, but he is instantly recognizable). Cherry dances and darts, Redman (father of Joshua) growls and honks lyrically, and Haden makes everything move forward. Quite remarkable, especially for a tribute album. Essential.
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