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| Charlie Haden returns to his roots for his latest album He changed the shape of jazz playing with the original Ornette Coleman Quartet in the late 1950s, and went on to record some of the most seminal albums in music with artists like John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, and Pat Metheny, as well as his own provocative Liberation Music Orchestra and noir-tinged Quartet West, garnering over 15 Grammy nominations, four Grammys, and accolades worldwide. Haden began his musical career when he was just two years old, singing on the radio with his parents and siblings in the late 1930s. Like , similar groups the Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers, The Haden Family traversed the mid- and southwest, performing on some of country's biggest radio stations, from WSM in Nashville to KWTO in Springfield, MO. Now, in 2008, Charlie Haden has fulfilled his dream to play the Haden Family songs with his wife, children, and close friends in the worlds of both country and jazz. The result is 'Ocean of Diamonds,' due out via Decca Records on September 23. The album includes 19 songs ranging from traditional country to contemporary Americana. Along with jazz partner Pat Metheny, Charlie's friends making an appearance include such luminaries as Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and many more. Charlie's family is the main focus of the album, with his wife Ruth Cameron and all four of his children and son-in-law making an appearance. Charlie's son Josh, a former Restless Records Artist with his band Spain, lends his voice to his mellow ballad “Spiritual," which Johnny Cash also recorded. His wife Ruth, a former Verve recording artist, sings the Irish ballad “Down by the Salley Gardens." His triplet daughters Petra, Tanya, and Rachel are featured on several tracks as well as lend their impeccable harmonies behind Ricky Skaggs and Dan Tymknski. Petra is a former member of the Decemberists and has been performing with Sean Lennon, Ricky Lee Jones and the Foo Fighters of late; Rachel was a founding member of indie-rock pioneers The Rentals and is currently on tour with Todd Rundgren; Tanya plays in several independent bands around Los Angeles and is married to actor/musician Jack Black, who gives a stirring rendition of “Old Joe Clark". write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |