Album Review: Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard - Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Ron Carter & Ricky Dillard

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

*** out of *****

Two legendary artists come together, combining the worlds of Jazz and Gospel on Blue Note Records/Motown Gospel, Sweet, Sweet Spirit. Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard work to fuse their bass and choir master talents, delivering ten combinations of holy/engaging offerings.

The album came about as a partnership to celebrate Carter's late mother whose love for gospel music inspired Ron in the family home. Working with singer-songwriter-choirmaster Dillard and The New G Chorale, the duo set out to enhance Mrs. Willie O Carter's favorite hymns in their own fashion. 

Carter had worked up ten of those favorites with his bass and then partnered with Dillard to expand the sound. At times that backing drowns out Carters more nuanced influences as the project leans much more heavily on the gospel side of the fence. The majority of tracks start with Carter's bass then swell to heavenly heights.    

Opener "Open My Eyes" is a full band work out with light funky bass, trumpet from Phil Lassiter and organ runs, but the vocal styling of lead Krisman L. Evans and The New G Chorale take center stage with riveting, powerful singing. Bass and plinking piano kick off "Everybody Will Be Happy" as the energy, handclaps and shouts increase while "Pass Me Not" increases the grooving aspect with some gorgeous work from Carter before moving into over the top modern gospel lands. At times things seem to keep increasing  higher and higher, burying the more restrained jazz feel.    

The traditional "Just A Little Talk With Jesus" is a perfect example of how a little less could have been more. The smooth guitar and bass work get things flowing in upbeat manner as tambourine and lead vocalist Harry L. Bullock delivers the soulful vocals, before once again the choir comes in, delivering power but also drowning out the intimacy. Scaling back the overwhelming dramatic swelling while keeping the passion would benefit an effort like this, allowing more room for Carter's bass to standout and give the overall album more balance/nuance.  

That said, for fans of modern gospel it is hard to fault things at all. The closing run of the polished "Soft and Tenderly" (a highlight for the vocal stylings of Pastor Wendi Henderson Wyatt), the rootsy "No Tears in Heaven" and huge title track album closer are dynamic, well-produce and stirring, perhaps just not the combination of jazz/gospel promised.    

That said, gospel and jazz have always been intwined, from New Orleans jazz funerals to Kirk Whalum The Gospel According to Jazz volumes, and this highly personal project continues the chain in it's own fashion. Ron Carter and Ricky Dillard's stirring work on Sweet, Sweet Spirit is perfect for any Sunday morning stroll, be you a believer or not.    

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