Global
- I don’t know how smart a move it was to request a review of
The Bradley
Years CD by someone who, in the “Brados” composition a couple of years ago
wrote lines like, “Major force/You really was de boss” and “Gifted for
days/So deserving of praise”. Not much doubt, for sure, about where this
reviewer’s head is with respect to Clive Bradley’s abilities.
Be that as it may, I was constrained to recall, in listening to this
recording of Pantonic Steel Orchestra executing Bradley’s arrangements,
something he reportedly said some years ago regarding a competing band’s
Panorama piece: “They’re putting too much music in the music.” While it
probably would have been seen as a derisive comment, especially by the
targeted arranger and his minions, Bradley’s pithy summation at once spoke
to what on the one hand has plagued many a Panorama arrangement, and his own
very lucid understanding of what such an effort should entail. Bradley
studiously resisted putting too much music in the music.
Two things become obvious as one savors the seven entries in the Brooklyn
Panorama (1999-2005) that are served up here.
First is Bradley’s belief that
some sense of the composition selected for Panorama must remain the thematic
underpinning of what emerges as the final product, rather than, as
frequently happens, an incidental, hardly discernible presence. Secondly,
Bradley was ever conscious of the people factor, never forgetting that
what’s presented at Panorama must ultimately pass muster as an audience
experience. Many times over his years of Panorama tune selections both in
Trinidad and New York, Bradley would opt for compositions with ready-made
fan appeal, as opposed to falling in with the “pan tune” ritual. Hence the
inclusion of pieces like David Rudder’s “High Mas” and Shadow’s “Horn” in
the Bradley archives, and in this set, Andre Tanker’s “Ben Lion” and
Shadow’s “Stranger”.
In “Ben Lion” and “Stranger” one senses how much Bradley, his choice of tune
having instantly established a connection to listeners, quickly goes for the
jugular to keep them firmly in tow. And he does it with a certain panache,
his command of the space absolute from first note to last. In “Stranger”,
treats crop up all over the place: his flip, for instance, of a chromatic
lead-in to the “Wave it” line in the chorus, utilizing the bass pans for
what typically would be a front-line run; or the scintillating overlay of
harmonic flourishes by the leads at another point in Shadow’s pulsing,
multi-layered chorus. The maestro neatly weaves his “Ben Lion” arrangement
for the most part around a faithful adherence to the signature melodic
figure (and popular refrain) in the chorus, albeit at times tastefully
re-styled. Overall, with “Stranger” and “Ben Lion” (“Trini to the Bone” is
also included) one might be excused for thinking that Bradley warmed to the
task perhaps a wee bit more when the composition he selected boasted solid
fan rapport.
This is not to suggest, however, that when he dialed up one of the
ubiquitous “pan tunes” it was given short shrift; far from it. Those
features we came to associate with vintage Bradley: the dramatic, elongated
bass figures; the seamless, often understated modulations; the minor-key
variations on the main theme; the rhythm-driven mood changes (Latin,
anyone?); those and any number of others are spread through the Oba Sinnette
compositions in the package, “In My House”, “Picture on My Wall” and
“Action”. And always, the Bradley touch ensures that they’re placed
precisely where they belong.
The selections were recorded not at the Panorama contest but preceding it,
and perhaps true Panorama tempo might have been a nice plus in one or two
instances. But no matter. It’s a measure of the potency of this Bradley
sampler that one doesn’t even feel cheated that “Stranger” fades out rather
than soars to its climax; by the track’s end that particular sketch has been
found totally fulfilling.
‘The Bradley Years’ is a keeper. It’s like we said: major force. This man was
the boss. For real!
Click here to
order the CD!
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Contact
the author Les Slater at -
slatertalentmart@yahoo.com
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