Tony Williams Quintet Tony Williams/France 1988 & more

Tony Williams’ quintet live performances from 1988 to 1990, all of which are couplings of soundboard and audience recordings from FM on-air masters. The first is a performance in Paris, France on June 22, 1988, with the same members as those in the three albums after moving to the new Blue Note at that time, Wallace Roney, Billy Pierce, Mulgrew Miller, and bassist Bob Hurst in the early quintet formation. The performance is full of persuasive playing unique to a group led by a drummer who has literally struggled at the very forefront of his career spanning a quarter century, and the performance of the members who have been almost the same lineup since the late 1980s is also a must-listen. Next is a gig at a jazz club in Switzerland on March 18, with the same members but a completely different set composition. And the last one is a live performance at the annual jazz festival held in Bremen, Germany on July 19, 1990. This live performance is the only one with a good audience recording, and the others are all soundboard recordings. This one also has the same members except for the bassist, and Tony, who once switched to jazz rock and pop, returns to his roots in jazz here, and just like the 1992 Tokyo performance on the Blue Note album, his spectacular drumming is indescribably wonderful, rivaling even the historic live recordings of V.S.O.P. or G.J.T. In addition, the playing of trumpeter Wallace Roney, who is said to have been taught directly by Miles, is reminiscent of the Lost Quintet, so this is also a must-listen. DISC 1 : 1. ONLY WITH YOU 2. LIFE OF THE PARTY 3. ANCIENT EYES 4. WARRIOR 5. GEO ROSE 6. CIVILIZATION 7. ANGEL STREET 8. MUTANTS ON THE BEACHDISC 2 : 1. SOWETO NIGHTS 2. THE SLUMP 3. BIRDLIKE Recorded at New Morning, Paris, France, June 22th 1988 : Soundboard Recording 4. RED MASK 5. CLEARWAYS 6. GEO ROSE 7. ANGEL STREET DISC 3 : 1. MY MICHELE 2. LIFE OF A PARTY 3. CIVILISATION 4. WARRIORS Recorded at Cully Jazz, Cully, Switzerland, March 18th1989 : Soundboard Recording 5. CLEARWAYS 6. GEO ROSE 7. CRYSTAL PALACE 8. CIVILISATION 9. SISTER CHERYL 10. BIRDLIKE Recorded at Schauburg, Bremen, Germany, July 19th 1990 : Audience Recording Tony Williams – drums / Wallace Roney – trumpet / Billy Pierce – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone / Mulgrew Miller – piano / Bob Hurst – bass (1988, 1989) / Ira Coleman – bass (1990)