Recorded during the same sessions as Purple Violets, Violet Violets features veteran reed player Sam Rivers, bassist Ben Street, and drummer Kresten Osgood, though vibraphonist Bryan Carrott is omitted from these tracks. The lack of a keyboard makes little difference as the trio explores its adventurous music, an aggressive form of post-bop intertwined with avant-garde twists at times. The octogenarian Rivers is still a potent force, dominating Ornette Coleman's "Invisible" with his explosive, expressive tenor sax, fueled by the potent rhythm section. He switches to soprano sax for the tense, abstract "Fast Response" and the even wilder "Lace" (likely a studio improvisation). Rivers' dancing flute is the centerpiece of the exotic "Nature Calls, Pt. 1," while "Nature Calls, Pt. 2" is a tenor sax vehicle bearing little resemblance to its namesake. The most familiar tunes of the sessions include the jaunty "What a Diff'rence a Day Made" (backed by Osgood's fine brushwork) and a loping treatment of Lucky Thompson's mournful "I Forgot to Remember," both featuring Rivers' tenor. The musicians obviously enjoyed their studio collaboration, so future projects will be of considerable interest. - Ken Dryden
Since this group's first CD was called Purple Violets, what would be more appropriately redundant than naming the sequel Violet Violets? The legendary Sam Rivers did it again—actually both CD's are a result of the same great session, and this is another one without a dull moment. The lineup is the same, except vibraphonist Bryan Carrott is not featured on these tracks.
The young and very talented Danish drummer Kresten Osgood suggested this project to the Danish Stunt jazz label. Other results of Osgood's initiatives have included gigs and/or recordings with Oliver Lake and Dr Lonnie Smith.
The musicians follow each other in a close and intuitive interplay, giving lots of playing space to Rivers. The opening track, "Nature Calls," written by Rivers, features him on flute, and his light and joyful dance is delightfully accompanied by Osgood's melodic drumming and Ben Street's ostinato bass.
All but three tunes were composed by the band members, mostly Osgood. The two-minute long "Fast Response" is a duet between Osgood and Rivers in the free improvisational mode that runs through most of the tracks. A refreshing version of Ornette Coleman's "Invisible" is followed by Lucky Thompson's "I Forgot To Remember," a bluesy tune played with a warmth and sincerity that shows how lyricism and spirituality can be two sides of the same coin. Soothing music, to unwrinkle your forehead...
On the latter track Ben Street plays a nice bass solo, and the session provides plenty of interesting drumming, interplay, and above all, Rivers' unique playing. His remarkable tone is in a class of its own, just like the deep musical content of his playing. The fact that he has spent a lifetime developing it is not the only reason he sounds this great. Not everyone performs on such a high level at the age of 82, but in Sam Rivers' case, there has definitely been no decline with age... truly the opposite. - Annika Westman
Track
01. Nature Calls, Pt. 1 (Sam Rivers)
02. Horatio (One for Herbie Nichols) (Kresten Osgood)
03. Invisible (Ornette Coleman)
04. Fast Response (Kresten Osgood)
05. I Forgot to Remember (Lucky Thompson)
06. No Time Toulouse (Kresten Osgood/Sam Rivers/Ben Street)
07. What a Diff'rence a Day Made (Stanley Adams)
08. Lace (Kresten Osgood/Sam Rivers/Ben Street)
09. Chianti Blues (Sam Rivers)
10. Nature Calls, Pt. 2 (Kresten Osgood)
SAM RIVERS tenor saxophone, flute
KRESTEN OSGOOD drums
BEN STREET bass
Recorded at Kampo Studios, N.Y. Oct 14 & 15 2004
Stunt Records – STUCD 05112 (Denmark)