Review Text
Without Reasons... Early in 2008 I decided to begin recording again. It had been six years since the self-titled 'Albert-Ankrum Project' CD, and unbelievably, sixteen years since I recorded 'It Cannot Be Exhausted By Use' with my Minnesota quartet. It was time to document some new sounds. At this point in my career I knew musicians from all over the planet, so the recording venue could have been any number of places, but in my mind the choice was obvious - it was time to go back to New Orleans. I put the band together in my head, then got on the internet and the phone to reconnect. The guys I chose are not only friends, but top players from NOLA. Joe Ashlar and I met while we were both working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. He was living in New York at the time and came on the ship with his trio. He blew everyone away with his superb piano playing. When you hear him play, everything is so clear. David Pulphus and I go way back. We met during my first visit to New Orleans. He was playing bass with Terence Blanchard at that time, which in and of itself tells you all you need to know about how well he plays. He is a beautiful cat, and when he plays, the foundation is as solid as it can possibly be. Kevin O'Day is one of the funkiest drummers in the Crescent City, or anywhere else for that matter. I would often hear him with various groups in the clubs around New Orleans during the four years I lived there, and he was not only a joy to listen to, but to watch as well. Kevin always puts his heart and soul into the music. What can I say about Jeff Albert? He's my brother. Jeff is the man with wide open ears. I can't thank him enough for everything he has done to help with this project. His creativity is boundless. Some thoughts about the music: 'The Bywater' gets it's name from the New Orleans neighborhood where I lived. It's home to many artists and musicians. 'A Little Bit Tall' was inspired by two people - Dexter Gordon (who was more than a little bit tall), and my friend Alyona (who by her own admission is a little bit tall). 'Without Reasons'... there are compulsions in life, things that must be done, must be lived. For these things no reasons are necessary. Reasons in these cases don't exist. 'Balaklava Blues' is a blues with a bridge. I wrote this after playing a concert in Balaklava, Ukraine with some Russian Army musicians from Sevastopol. 'Three Wishes' refers to the European new year's custom of wishing that your three wishes come true in the new year. 'New Toy' is a tune written by my friend Darin Presley, who is a fine young drummer from Los Angeles. He was calling it 'Darin's Tune', but I felt that title didn't convey the playfulness of this great song, so I renamed it 'New Toy'. 'Alyona's Tears' is about the dark sadness of my dear friend. 'Rakin' the Yard' is something we all have to do from time to time, even if we worry about the consequences... Enjoy the music without reasons. Check out Aaron LaFont's review in Offbeat (New Orleans' and Louisiana's Music Magazine) : 'In 2008, saxophonist Larry Ankrum felt the urge to record again. It had been 16 years since the release of his debut album, It Cannot Be Exhausted by Use, and over six since collaborating with New Orleans trombonist Jeff Albert in the Albert- Ankrum Project. The seasoned musician and world traveler also felt compelled to return to the Crescent City. In May of 2008, with songs already composed, Ankrum called upon longtime friends pianist Joe Ashlar, bassist David Pulphus, and drummer Kevin O'Day, to join him for a one-day session at Piety Street Recording. The eight tracks captured during this session comprise Ankrum's latest offering, Without Reasons, a bouncy be-bop affair with a distinct New Orleans flavor. It begins with "The Bywater," a sweet, sunlit stroll down to the bohemian neighborhood where Ankrum once resided. With bright, playful flourishes, Ankrum's soprano sax dances about the beat as Ashlar's chords sink into sumptuous melody. Then,
