The Ways of Warmdaddy (original) (raw)

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1996 studio album by Wessell Anderson

The Ways of Warmdaddy
Studio album by Wessell Anderson
Released	1996
Recorded	1995
Genre	Jazz
Label	Atlantic[1]
Producer	Billy Banks
Wessell Anderson chronology
Warmdaddy in the Garden of Swing(1994) The Ways of Warmdaddy(1996) Live at the Village Vanguard(1998)

The Ways of Warmdaddy is the second album by the American musician Wessell Anderson, released in 1996.[2][3] The album title refers to Wynton Marsalis's nickname for Anderson; Anderson started with Marsalis's bands.[4][5] Anderson supported the album with a North American tour.[6]

Produced by Billy Banks, the album was recorded in New Orleans in the summer of 1995.[7][8][9] Anderson wrote six of its eight tracks.[10] The Ways of Warmdaddy includes versions of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" (as a solo saxophone piece for Anderson) and "Rockin' in Rhythm".[11][12] Ellis Marsalis played piano on some tracks.[10]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[5]
Los Angeles Times	[14]
MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide	[7]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD	[9]

The New York Times wrote that "Anderson can be an extraordinarily intelligent and original improviser... On a number called 'Change of Heart Blues', for instance, his playing brims with odd phrases and clever rhythm play, resulting in a solo that is as memorable as a good melody."[11] The Los Angeles Times determined that "Anderson hasn't yet discovered a way to bring structure and follow-through to his solos, which tend to be undeniably dazzling arrays of rapid-fire runs."[14]

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram stated that "the funk and flavor of New Orleans surround every husky note and bedeviling phrase young altoist Anderson blows."[15] The Boston Herald called Anderson "both a sensitive accompanist and intrepid soloist."[12]

AllMusic deemed the album "a hard-bop (re)hash, well-played, yet tasting a bit like it's been microwaved back to life—a moderately tasty and almost immediately forgettable side dish."[13]

1. ^ Macnie, Jim (May 1996). "Blindfold test: Antoine Roney". DownBeat. Vol. 63, no. 5. p. 70.
2. ^ Blangger, Tim (11 Feb 1996). "The Warmth of Warmdaddy Washes Over All". The Morning Call. p. F1.
3. ^ Wilonsky, Robert (August 27, 1998). "Now's the time – Wynton Marsalis sideman Wessell Anderson is Leaning House's best hope to make some noise". Music. Dallas Observer.
4. ^ Simon, Jeff (September 19, 1997). "Daddy Dearest". The Buffalo News. p. G3.
5. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 184.
6. ^ Simon, Jeff (September 12, 1997). "Wessell Anderson The Ways of Warmdaddy". The Buffalo News. p. G29.
7. ^ a b MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 41.
8. ^ Macnie, Jim (Feb 10, 1996). "Blue Notes". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 6. p. 44.
9. ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books Ltd. 2000. p. 46.
10. ^ a b Wirt, John (March 29, 1996). "Anderson's 'warm' sax also sweet, expressive". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 8.
11. ^ a b Watrous, Peter (20 Feb 1996). "Saxophone Not Bound By Limits". The New York Times. p. C13.
12. ^ a b Convey, Kevin R. (September 22, 1996). "The Ways of Warmdaddy". Arts & Lifestyle. Boston Herald. p. 47.
13. ^ a b "Wessell Anderson Ways of Warmdaddy". AllMusic.
14. ^ a b Heckman, Don (6 Apr 1996). "The Ways of Warmdaddy". Los Angeles Times. p. F17.
15. ^ Shull, Chris (August 9, 1996). "Jazz". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 12.