Music Is Louder Than Words / James Blood Ulmer
Koch Jazz 7833
Lonely Woman; Elizabeth; Sphinx; Dance in the Dark - Music Is My Life; Cherry Cherry; I Can't Take AnymoreStreet News; Skies of America; Rap Man
Michael Mustafa Ulmer-kyb; James Blood Ulmer-eg, voc; Calvin Jones-b; Amin Ali, Rashied Ali, Aubrey Dayle-d.
James Blood Ulmer is a harmolodic enigma wrapped in guitar strings. For every great session he has produced under his name, he has put out a session that laves fans scratching their heads. Music Speaks Louder Than Words: James Blood Ulmer Plays the Music of Ornette Coleman follows that trend.

Although he has attracted a large cult following in Europe and Japan, Ulmer has had trouble succeeding in the United States. Part of the reason is that his best works are hard to find and his least impressive works are readily available. The other reason is his lack of consistency.

Music Speaks is Ulmer's first U.S. release and since his ill-advised Blues Preacher in 1994. Blues Preacher and the subsequent live album recorded in Germany were further proof that Ulmer should abandon his singing and blues attempts. Ulmer's best work is exemplified on the sessions that produced his Harmolodic Guitar With Strings (DIW) the classic Tales of Captain Black (Artists House/DIW) and Black Rock (Sony Japan; (Ulmer's debut which featured Ornette Coleman).

First of all, the title of this CD is a bit misleading. One who expects a CD full of Ornette covers will find a few pieces of Ulmer-penned blues tunes thrown in. Ulmer is backed by talented players in acoustic and electric trios which vary from tune to tune. Ulmer's takes on Lonely Woman and Sphinx and right on the money, while Ulmer's original Dance in the Dark sounds like an out-take from Blues Preacher. Calvin Jones keeps things moving and often saves Ulmer's wandering chords from floating away. Perhaps Ulmer's best performance in years comes on Cherry Cherry, thanks to the Jones and the drums of Aubrey Dayle. I Can't Take Anymore is another blues tune that just doesn't fit on this session. Ulmer reverts to Ornette covers again and is greatly benefited by the playing of drum great Rashied Ali on "Street News" and "Skies of America".

Ulmer ends the session with perhaps the most embarrassing tune he has ever recorded, Rap Man. Yes, Ulmer raps about harmolodic music and generally, sounds like a deflated George Clinton clone. A horrible misstep.

There are glimpses of the old Ulmer talent on display here and the session is much better than his previous 90s attempts, but overall, Music Speaks would have benefited from staying with its concept and away from the self-indulgent blues and rap efforts.

--Jim Johnson


Return to the
Review Index
Return to
Saturn