If you haven’t heard of Victor Wooten, the four-time
Grammy Award-winning, Béla Fleck veteran, his latest
album “Palmystery” is a good reason to listen.
The only bassist voted “Bass Player of the Year”
three times by Bass Player Magazine, Wooten’s
virtuosity requires no more elaboration. He’s nastier
than a hillbilly at a Costa Rican strip club.
Featuring an array of guest artists and styles,
“Palmystery” is a testament to Wooten’s versatility
and is steeped in jazz, bluegrass, funk, folk, gospel
and world music.
The opening track, “2 Timers,” is jolly bluegrassswing
jam that summarizes Wooten’s career as a
Flecktone while hinting at things to come. Derico
Watson and Shania Twain’s JD Blair share the drumming
responsibilities while playing in two different
time signatures and creating a wall of rhythm for
Wooten to tear down with his chops.
Wooten’s newest album is not only a platform for
his range of styles but also an outlet for his spiritual
side. No doubt a faithful Christian, Wooten’s “I
Saw God” and “The Gospel” are both laden with
dreamy gospel elements – sturdy organ sustains,
bluesy vocals, handclaps and hopeful lyrics – while
still being interesting and funky enough for secular
listeners to enjoy.
The only cover on the album is Horace Silver’s
“Song For My Father.” Although originally written
as bossa nova – the straight feel still is present
mostly – the piece is presented as funk with a little
double-time swing thrown in the mix. Karl Denson
makes a guest appearance on the tenor sax while
Regi Wooten lends his brother a hand on the guitar.
Derico Watson and Darrell Tibbs take turns on drums
and percussion, adding a nice Afro-Cuban feel. The
turnarounds toward the end of the song will make
any musician geek out.
“Sifu” is probably the best song on the album.
The ghastly chord changes are the ideal vehicle for
Mike Stern’s sick guitar solo and Shawn “Thunder”
Wallace’s alto sax commentary. The song is also
very heavy on the
percussion, which can
be nice. Three percussionists:
James Jackson
(congas), Roy Wooten
(cajon, a Peruvian
box-shaped drum) and
Darrell Tibbs (percussion)
back Victor and
company up nicely.
Wooten’s “Happy
Song” is reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire’s upbeat
hits. Featuring two basses, the song is a little cluttered
toward the end as far as timbres go. Wooten’s
solo – while impressive – is the epitome of the Jaco
Pastorius school of bass playing-a school that values
harmonic acrobatics and limitless vocabulary above
a fat, funky, simple line that gets the job done.
Grade: B+
Download (don’t steal): “Left, Right & Center” by
Victor Wooten