Audio Review: Work Song (25th Anniversary) by Longineu Parsons

Work Song (25th Anniversary)
Longineu Parsons – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Recorders, and Percussion
Von Barlow – Drums
Lawrence Buckner – Bass
Kevin Bales – Piano
Sam Rivers – Tenor Saxophone
Nat Adderley – Cornet
Adewole O’ Kulu Mele – Percussion
Bente Fischer – Drums

Dr. Longineu Parsons is a musician of strength in sound with finesse in artistry. A Professor of Music at Florida A&M University, Parsons has been able to cover a wide range of musical styles in his career. As a student of Nat Adderley, Parsons performs on many instruments including the cornet of his former teacher. In addition to performing the high brass, Parsons showcases a full musical palette by using the recorder and flugelhorn. With the opening track being just that – a ‘Work Song’ – Parsons and the others are able to hit the right groove at the right time leading into a tremendous voyage of charts. With ‘Song For Dr. Drew,’ Parsons is able to pull back that powerful journey from the previous tracks to create a more serene cry of beautiful melodies.

Listen to ‘One for Daddy-O’! This track is able to show the relationship between student/teacher and clearly gives the listener and influence of a legend on his protégé. Throughout all of these tracks, the listener is able to hear a characteristic of Parson’s style is his rhythmic use of back-and-forth fingerings over a single note. Also not to be missed are ‘Passing Moment and ‘Lost in the Black Forest’ where Parsons is able to show off his skills on the recorder.

While this album was originally produced in 1994, the sounds and solos are still relevant to the style of jazz today. Listen to this album and see how even after 25 years, an album and artist can be vitally important in the education of today’s jazz listener.

Work Song Track List:

1. Work Song
2. Search For The New Land
3. Party In Morocco
4. Song For Dr. Drew
5. Passing Moment
6. Soyuz Dance
7. One For Daddy-O (featuring Nat Adderley)
8. Spaced Part II
9. Lost in the Black Forest
10. My Funny Valentine
11. The Gathering

Click here to purchase the album and book

Click here to learn more about the book and album

Learn more about Longineu Parsons