Like many of the freer tenors of the 60s, Charles Lloyd has turned his heat into a glowing and warm ember. This album captures the sax legend celebrating his 80th birthday in Santa Barbara’s famed Lobero Theatre. The concert feels like an open house party, with guests coming and going, and the list of invitees in quite impressive. Julian Lage/g, Gerald Clayton/p, Reuben Rogers/b, Eric Harland/dr as the regular guest bring in famed MGer Booker T. Jones on organ as well as bassist Don Was for some music that pops out of the cake.
It’s fascinating to compare this 2 cd/dvd set with the recent reissue of his 1967 concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Gone is the sonic anger, and in exchange is a passionate roar and declaration, with a tender “You Are So Beautiful” and gentle yet urgent “Forest Flower.” Lage stretches out on the assertive “Dream Weaver” while Lloyd shows he knows how to still reach the highest heaven, while Rogers’ solo on “Requiem” is sandwiched between passionate pleads by the sage/leader.
Lloyd is then reunited with his Memphis roots in the form of Booker T. Jones, who sides up to the Hammond while telling and singing a heartfelt “Song For Charles” while literally pulling the plugs and getting down to a STAXY “Green Onions” that has Lloyd sounding like he just ate some dry rub ribs at Cozy Corner. The team really boogaloos to “Sombrero Sam” while giving a wondrously lovely folk feel to the traditional “Shenandoah”. The audience is genuinely appreciative of the entire event, which shows all of the artists not only in their best light, but truly enjoying the festivities. What a party favor!