Paul Winter Consort

Concert In The Barn

Living, 2022

9/10

Listen to Concert In The Barn

The 7 time Grammy winner Paul Winter assembled an impressive cast for these 14 tunes that were fleshed out in a barn in June of 2021 for a livestream concert, which coincided with the first sunrise of that summer.

“Sun Singer (Theme)” leads the listen with Winter’s soothing soprano sax in the brief intro, and “Lamento De Aiocá” follows with Winter’s soulful brass and Henrique Eisenmann’s fluid and warm piano prowess making an indelible impression.

Deeper into the listen, “Chora Coracao (Cry, My Heart)” welcomes Jeff Boratko’s bassoon and Eugene Friesen’s cello to Eisenmann’s stirring keys in the very intimate album highlight, while “DNA” allows Boratko and Theresa Thomason’s gorgeous voices to shine amid the mature piano, cello and sax.

Close to the end, the piano, cello and sax complement Thomason’s powerful pipes on the stunning interpretation of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, and “Icarus” exits the listen on a busier note, where the strings, brass, keys and vocals meet at a very melodic and dreamy place.

A very heartfelt listen that embraces jazz, New Age, world music and Brazilian nods, Winter and company make the most of each selection here with precise attention to detail and a delivery that is nothing short of stunning.

Travels well with: Paul Winter- Light Of The Sun; Douglas Olsen- 2 Cents