Lynne Arriale Trio—Arise

(Motema MTM/1372)

Lynne Arriale fronts an impressive power trio. While she, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Steve Davis must be the Jazz pride of Wisconsin, it was world events that inspired and fueled the album, forcefully titled Arise. Without resorting to being didactic or sentimental, Arriale makes a statement about America in the light and shadows of heroism and loss. One of the more intriguing performances immortalizes Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of the Canadian rock band Guess Who as unlikely Jazz composers. Arriale presents a sinister-sounding version of the Guess Who's "American Woman." Like the original rock n roll version, this version is stabbing and aggressive. Later, she turns to Bill Withers' magnificent "Lean On Me." On her arrangement, she pinpoints the song's power, majesty, and soul simultaneously. However, it's the title track, "Arise," originally titled "For the Heroes," that is the showstopper. Here's a composition that's indescribably but uniquely American, a ballad that projects a myriad of glorious and timeless images. As is the theme of Arise, America is a land of heroes, and this collection celebrates both high profile people and everyday-anonymous folks.