The Crusaders A Ballad For Joe

The music on this four-CD box set is mostly excellent, and this is not a bad sampler of the recordings of the (Jazz) Crusaders, but there are some problems. The 1961-70 group is covered much too quickly in the first disc, and the last two discs jump around chronologically throughout the '70s. The lack of recording dates is rather inexcusable, and the odd programming makes it difficult to trace the popular band's evolution. On the other hand, the extensive liner notes by Quincy Troupe are refreshingly honest, and many of the high points of the group's existence (including "The Young Rabbits," "Freedom Sound," "Eleanor Rigby," "Put It Where You Want It," their classic rendition of "So Far Away," and "Street Life") are included. Worth picking up by beginners, although veteran collectors will prefer to get the more complete original sets instead.

After 1970's Old Socks, New Shoes…New Socks, Old Shoes landed them a spot on the charts briefly for the single "Hard Times" the Crusaders decided on an entirely new approach by making a very small change: they dropped the word "Jazz" from their moniker for 1971's Pass the Plate, the group's final offering on Chisa. Pass the Plate is notable for many things. For starters, a member of the band wrote every composition on it and yet it's a thoroughly modern recording. It begins with trombonist Wayne Henderson's 15- plus-minute title suite that contains no less than five separate parts (the Crusaders were no strangers to the pop music of the era; here they did their own nearly side-long take on what the Beatles accomplished on side two of Abbey Road)…

The Crusaders were one of the pioneers of Jazz-Funk music in the seventies and have made a number of visits to Montreux over the years. This DVD focuses on their performance from 2003 when the band was touring in support of their album "Rural Renewal". Founder members Joe Sample and Wilton Felder were joined in the line-up by long-standing friend Ray Parker Jr. on guitar and by the inimitable Randy Crawford on vocals. They delivered a set that spanned their career from early days up to their latest album capped with a stunning nine minute plus performance of their classic "Street Life" and finished off with a fun rendition of Ray Parker Jr's "Ghostbusters".

The follow-up to 1973's Unsung Heroes was the first of the group's Blue Thumb efforts to be distributed by ABC Records. The label switch also coincided with the inclusion of lyrical guitarist Larry Carlton as a full-fledged member. A good representation of the Crusaders' tasteful and intelligent playing, Southern Comfort is more than recommended to their fans.

The follow-up to 1973's Unsung Heroes was the first of the group's Blue Thumb efforts to be distributed by ABC Records. The label switch also coincided with the inclusion of lyrical guitarist Larry Carlton as a full-fledged member. A good representation of the Crusaders' tasteful and intelligent playing, Southern Comfort is more than recommended to their fans.