Won't You Let Me Love You

Won't You Let Me Love You

Track Listings

1. Baby Girl

2. Comin' at Cha

3. Sideshow

4. Theresa

5. Sleep Tight

6. Won't You Let Me Love You

7. Tantam

8. I Wanna Know

9. Groove in You

10. Visions

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There are two ways to reflect upon the passing of loved ones. We can either go deep into melancholy over the death, or reach back and celebrate the joys of the lives just ended. Two of saxman Walter Beasley's grandparents died while this album was being recorded, and Beasley thankfully chooses the wistful, optimistic route. While positive grooves abound, he's clearly got the past on his mind; "Babygirl" launches the disc with a dreamy, sensuous alto melody winding its way over a subtle retro-soul groove and the hypnotic wah-wah click of Jeff Lockhart. No doubt recalling a sweet moment in his younger years, Beasley presents a cover of the Stylistics' gentle "Sideshow" with a soprano line that pushes the boundaries of the familiar melody; he then breaks for a completely unique improvisation, as if reflecting on his youthful memory of the song while adding adult experience into the mix. With down-home acoustic guitar harmony by Kevin Barry, "Theresa" artfully blends a folk influence with straightforward rhythm and jazz, with more than a wink to Bob James's famous Taxi theme keeping the retro flavors going. A title like "Sleep Tight" might make us think sad thoughts, but Beasley actually soars his highest and comes up with his most playful improvisations here. He graces the title track--an important tune in his upbringing on the sax--with a nice enough vocal, but he uses the romance in his voice to greater effect on a thoughtful cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions." The classic lyrics, optimistic in the face of harsh realities, float gently along a moody atmosphere before giving way to a reverberating guitar solo by Jeff Lockhart. --Jonathan Widran

From Jazziz
There are two ways to reflect upon the passing of loved ones: We can either go deep into melancholy over the death or reach back and celebrate the joys of the lives just ended. Two of the saxman Walter Beasley's grandparents died during the recording of Won't You Let Me Love You, and the saxman clearly chose the wistful, optimistic route of response.

While positive grooves abound, Beasley's clearly got the past on his mind. "Babygirl" launches the disc with a dreamy, sensuous alto melody winding its way over a subtle, retro-soul groove and the hypnotic wah-wah work of Jeff Lockhart. Beasley presents a cover of the Stylistics' gentle "Sideshow" with a soprano line that pushes the boundaries of the familiar melody; he then breaks for a completely unique improvisation, as if reflecting on his youthful memory of the song but adding adult experience into the mix.

With its down-home acoustic guitar harmony by Kevin Barry, "Theresa" artfully blends a folk influence with straightforward rhythm and jazz - with more than a wink to Bob James' famous "Taxi" theme. A title like "Sleep Tight" might evoke sad thoughts, but Beasley actually soars his highest and comes up with his most playful improvisations here.

Beasley graces the title track - a tune instrumental in his upbringing on the sax - with a nice-enough vocal, but he uses the romance in his voice to greater effect on a thoughtful cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions." The classic lyrics, optimistic in the face of harsh realities, float gently through a moody atmosphere before giving way to a reverberating guitar solo by Jeff Lockhart.

Won't You Let Me Love You,Walter Beasley,Shanachie,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Smooth Jazz,Urban

Jazz Music: Won't You Let Me Love You

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