JEREMY STEIG — Wayfaring Stranger (review)

JEREMY STEIG — Wayfaring Stranger album cover Album · 1970 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Sean Trane
The amazing thing about some jazz sessions is that a one-single day sitting can produce as much as two perfectly excellent albums, and this is what happened in Feb 11, 1970. The even more amazing feat is that both albums were recorded by a very unusual flute-lead trio. Indeed, Jeremy is with his usual trio, that consists of himself (on different type of flutes), drummer Don Alias and bassist Eddie Gomez. Yes, we have here ¾ of the line-up that would record the absolute Something Else gem, once keyboardist Jan Hammer would join them for a double album as well.

Compared to Legwork, Stranger is a bit more adventurous, at least in terms of ethnic influences, but in a jazzier way as well. Tracks like mint tea and waves are typically in the JR/F mode of the era, but in a much sober way, because of the limited trio instrumentation. Nevertheless, this trio manages to sound like quintet, because you’re never bored even so much as a second on WS. Things get a tad more expansive and wild with the superb In The Beginning track, which allows alias and Gomez to strut their stuff with showing off.

What’s truly amazing as well is that a jazz trio, lead by a wind instrument can be so exciting, energetic and rivets you to your seat for the duration. Indeed, Steig’s flute playing is absolutely enthusiastic and full of energy, of course helped out by multi-tracking of his mad flaut. Actually, the overdubs or multi-tracking only renders even more impressive the prowess of recording two albums in one single sitting. It’s difficult to actually recommend either Legwork over Stranger, or the opposite, because both are so excellent, so if you’re willing to make a tad of a sacrifice, you can have an excellent selection from both on the Howling for Judy compilation.
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