When Peace Life A River Attendeth My Way
When Sorrow Like Sea Billows Roll
Whatever My Lot, Thou Hast Taught Me To Say
“It Is Well, It Is Well, With My Soul”
Horatio Spafford
How do you respond when your biggest fears are realized. The famous hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” was written when the composer found out that his family members had died in the Chicago Fire, an ocean liner sinking and to Scarlet Fever. Saxophonist Jimmy Greene lost his six year old daughter Ana during the senseless Sandy Hook School shooting back in 2006. This album is his reconciliation with his Christian faith to the Job-like trial that he has faced during that episode, one that either makes you shake your fist at God, deny Him, or cling to Him as the only Hope.
The music includes guests such as Kenny Barron, Renee Rosnes and Cyrus Chrstnut/p, Christian McBride/b Pat Metheny/g Lewis Nash/dr and Kurt Elling/voc as well as other guests such as the Linden School Early Years Choir and members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. What is presented here are themes about Ana’s life, such as her singing the famous hymn “Come Thou Almighty King”, as well as songs dedicated to the child (“Ana’s Way”) by Elling. A couple duets on soprano and tenor respectively with Kenny Barron, “Where is Love?” and “Maybe” are almost cathartic meditations, while “regular” jazz pieces “Last Summer” and “Seventh Candle” are pensive reflections of a love lost. The Lord’s prayer is evocatively delivered by “Latanya Farrell” and the closing “Little Voices” has a spoken poem presented by Anika Noni Rose that attempts to put life, and Eternal Life in perspective. As one who has lost an infant myself, I know it’s a pain that never goes away, and, Lord willing, is used to be a blessing to others who need comfort and to make one look for a reconciliation in heaven.
This is not an easy album to sit through, but that does not mean it is not to imbibe. It’s not a light escape, but a head on facing of the urgent things in life. Just like reading the book of Job, there are no answers, only a hand to hold on to, and once in awhile we need to be reminded of the harsh realities of life and of a faith that can only be tested with fire.
Mack Avenue Jazz