Review


Victor Wooten
Wooten's 2008 Release "Palmystery"

by: Miles Overn


"Palmystery" once again shows Victor Wooten at his alchemical best, stirring up a truly Wooten-esque concoction of styles from Funk to Gospel to Jazz with many other elements thrown in that add even more flavour to an already more than exotic offering.

Wooten's releases as a leader are always marked by out-of-this-world creativity and straight-from-the-bottom-of-the-heart joy and playfulness. "Palmystery" is no exception. From the opening bars of the CDs opening up-tempo "2 Timers" through to the final phrases of the ending ballad "Us 2", Wooten's own playing is masterful and musical. Guitarist Mike Stern and multi-instrumentalist Richard Bona, both musical giants in their own right, each bring their own thing to the numbers they guest on. Amazingly, none of this superior musicianship ever gets in the way of the music - this CD can be simply grooved out on and enjoyed solely for its vibe.

All the songs are by Wooten, with the notable exception of Horace Silver's enduring jazz standard, "Song for my Father". Wooten's treatement updates the tune while still respecting the original and includes a wonderful bass solo as well as tenor sax solo by Karl Denson and some great ensemble playing.

Wooten die-hard bass-slinging fusion musician fans will find plenty here to send them excitedly to the woodshed for days of digging into these tunes. Funk fans will dig putting this disc on and cranking up the stereo just for the gorgeous bass tones and the gut shaking feel.

Wooten's 2008 Release "Palmystery"
none of this superior musicianship ever gets in the way of the music - this CD can be simply grooved out on and enjoyed solely for its vibe.

Artist InfoReviewer Info
Victor Wooten

Jazz and funk bassist Victor Wooten is one of those very rare musicians who combines virtuousity and mastery of his instrument with an intense spirituality and a joyful humility that makes his music a true delight to listen to.

Wooten has been a part of the Flecktones since their inception in the late 80s. He has also been part of many other projects with a host of brilliant musicians.


Interviews:

Victor Wooten on "Palmystery", "The Music Lesson" and joy
Status: Post Production

Discography:

Palmystery
2008
Soul Circus
2005
Live In America
2001
Yin-Yang
1999
What Did He Say?
1997
A Show of Hands
1996

Upcoming or recent gigs:

Victor Wooten at Paradise Rock Club
Thursday, July 01, 2010
The Victor Wooten Band at Catalina's
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Victor Wooten Band at Catalina's
Tuesday, January 19, 2010


Miles Overn
Miles Overn has been writing about music and musicians for close to 30 years. He has attended hundreds of concerts all over the world and has also photographed many of the world's top artists.

Other reviews by Miles Overn

Yanofsky's 2010 "Nikki"
Pace Jr's "Because of You"
Buble's 2009 Release "Crazy Love"
Anderson's 2009 Blues CD "Even Things Up"
Wooten's 2008 Release "Palmystery"
Abercrombie's 1985 Masterpiece "Current Events"
Di Meola's "Consequence of Chaos"
Anderson's 1997 "Dogs In Heaven"