Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra-Not In Our Name

I must admit that my original reaction to a redo by bassist Charlie Haden and pianist/arranger Carla Bley of their 1969 Vietnam War era project was one of skepticism. The mixture of politics and art, particularly music, has resulted in some wondrous creations, and an equal (or greater) amount of ghastly, overindulgent throwaways. This record, recorded from July 19-22, 2004, and released on August 30, 2005, fits squarely in the former category. It is a beautiful, soft record that, on repeated listenings, offers a powerful artistic statement on the current state of affairs. Besides Haden on bass and Bley on piano, the present incarnation of the orchestra includes trumpeter Michael Rodriguez, Curtis Fowlkes on trombone, guitarist Steve Cardenas, drummer Matt Wilson, Miguel Zenon on alto, Chris Cheek on the tenor horn, Joe Daley playing tuba, and Ahnee Sharon Freeman playing French horn. Although the entire session is solid, particular standouts include a version of Pat Metheny and David Bowie’s anthem This Is Not America, a near seventeen minute blowout of America The Beautiful, and a brilliantly arranged production of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. This is jazz, folk, and Americana music at its finest.