Two lengthy originals, "The Majesty of the Blues" and "Hickory Dickory Dock," find
Wynton Marsalis displaying his rapidly developing writing skills, which were being prodded at the time by
Duke Ellington and
Charles Mingus. His sextet with pianist
Marcus Roberts, tenorman
Todd Williams, and altoist Wes Anderson is in outstanding form on these performances. With the three-part "New Orleans Function,"
Marsalis returned to his New Orleans heritage by welcoming the erratic clarinetist
Dr. Michael White, veteran banjoist
Danny Barker, trombonist
Freddie Lonzo, and trumpeter
Teddy Riley as guests. The 16-minute"Sermon" was written by
Stanley Crouch and narrated by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr. The closing Dixieland blues is led by
Teddy Riley (while
Marsalis plays second trumpet). ~ Scott Yanow