Charlie Haden’s first album as a leader was 1969’s Liberation Music Orchestra, and the bassist has been revisiting the project ever since. The concept of the project is to take a big band and record songs devoted to issues of human rights and political liberation, whether expressed in original compositions or revolutionary anthems from Spain, South Africa and Latin America. Not in Our Name is devoted to American music and current political tensions. Once again, it is arranged by pianist Carla Bley, who initially created the band’s distinctive sound; an impassioned, often dissonant lyricism combining a village brass band, a frequent Spanish tinge, free jazz and folk music. Propelled by drummer Matt Wilson, the band ranges here from classical themes (Barber’s "Adagio for Strings" and Dvorak’s "Goin’ Home") to songs by Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell (his "Throughout" is highlighted by the contrasting tenor saxophones of Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby) to the traditional "Amazing Grace," a feature for Haden’s soulful, melodic bass. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Rating:
Summary: Defies Nomenclature, Or Title
Comment: What I can say is good, good Jazz, with a good deal of "Protest", in the music. The swagger, and sway of the music leads one in one direction, and then "Bam" it goes off in another. "Amazing Grace" has to be the one tune that is most surprising, but it satisfies.

No playing around, just good solid Jazz music, with a throw back of 60s protest knitted into to a rhythmic persona that is so pleasing to the Jazz lovers ear. Then Mr. Haden and Company get really deep with "This Is Not America" is in itself a reawakening for most Americans, when one looks behind the music, or reads between the lines.

Next there is some "Homage" paid to Classical Music with their rendition of "Adagio (From Adagio For Strings)" for those somewhat unfamiliar with Jazz, but happen to be lovers of Classical Music, will love this selection, or not.

All in all this CD is some of Mr. Haden's best work, and I hope his productions will just continue to improve, and improve. The universe is the limit, and good Jazz is limitless.

Give "Not In Our Name" a good listen, and see what you feel. This CD has good feelings.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Politics aside, an impressive but flawed album
Comment: To judge this CD purely on the basis of the political message it contains is an under-analysis and entirely misses the point of the record. Whatever side one is approaching this from, one cannot deny that Haden's intention is to use music for unity rather than to highlight his side of the divide.

Having said that, the CD suffers from a couple of song choices which are too obvious and are the clear result of a risk that didnt pay off. When choosing to record such songs as 'America the Beautiful', 'Amazing Grace' and 'Adagio for Strings', one must either have something exceptional up one's sleeve, or be prepared to accept the heavy burden of instinctive juxtaposition with the thousands of versions previously recorded. 'Adagio for Strings' is a success, and the latter parts of the 'America the Beautiful' medley also, but 'Amazing Grace' (while containing some worthy moments) and 'America the Beautiful' itself are far too unremarkable for me.

The recording deserves four stars because it offers more than these failed risks. The title track, the Metheny/Mays/Bowie composition 'This is not America' and the Bill Frisell composition 'Throughtout' are exceptional arrangements and performances, with 'Blue Anthem' and 'Goin' Home' following just behind them.

A record worth purchasing if found at a decent price, but I would be surprised if it beat the first LMO album to the top of your favourites.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not Haden's best work by a long shot.
Comment: Charlie Haden is one of those musicians who thinks that calling a piece "Ode to Che" makes him a revolutionary; well, good for him. But if you're expeciting the kind of firey music and rhetoric that chacacterized pieces like Mingus' "Fable or Faubus", or "Cell Block F", forget it. As with Haden's previous Liberation Orchestra pieces, the only political about this music is the names of the pieces. Otherwise it's just music.

Charie Haden has always been at his best as part of a small ensemble; consider, for example, his duets with Pat Methany, or his work with Ornette in the 60s, and with Egberto Gismonti and Jan Garbarek in the 1980s. He's also usually at his best when someone else is calling the tunes. As the leader of a large ensemble, though, his music never seems to rise above the mundane.

The music on "Not In Our Name" never seems to rise above the level of merely competant. There's nothing terribly original or terribly exciting, especially given the revolutionary rhetoric accompanying it. As a fan of his since the early Ornette days, I have to say I was pretty disappointed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Even Better Live
Comment: Just got back from San Francisco where he played at Yoshi's. The music was fabulous. Definitely worth the price of admission.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Politics Aside
Comment: In a way, it's unfortunate that this recording has a political base. Because of this, what evolves here might be viewed, by some, as merely an attempt at political statement which they may not necessarily appreciate. For anyone adverse to political pronouncements not necessary to their liking (the title, itself, may turn some off), the opportunity to experience some truly beautiful, engrossing music may be missed.

Listen to this music. It is truly beautiful, from beginning to end, compelling, and exemplary of what an incredible talent Charlie Haden is, both as a conceptualist and musician.

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