Christian McBride Releases Conversations with Christian

Christian McBride: Conversations with ChristianIn a complete 180 from his recent big band album, Christian McBride has released an album of duets called Conversations with Christian.

The project began as podcasts in 2009, where the bassist got together with his musical companions to interview them, as well as play through some songs. The podcast eventually led to the bassist’s popular Sirius-XM radio show, The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian.

McBride calls on thirteen superstars for the album, including Angélique Kidjo, Sting, Dee Dee Bridgewater, George Duke, Eddie Palmieri, Chick Corea, Dr. Billy Taylor, Hank Jones, Regina Carter, Roy Hargrove, Russell Malone, Ron Blake, and actress Gina Gershon. The musical dialogues with Taylor and Jones are especially poignant, as both of the legendary jazz pianists passed away in 2010.

Though he put the idea of a duets album off for quite some time, McBride says the setting is natural for bass. “I think the duet is a logical extension of the nature of the bass itself,” McBride states. “It’s the root. Joe Zawinul once stated that the drums are the father of all music, and the bass is the mother. I had a hard time disagreeing. The bass has the rhythm and the pulse, and also the notes and harmonies. That would seem to make it the ideal instrument for any sort of duet.”

Christian McBride Conversations with Christian Track List:

  1. Afirika (Feat. Angelique Kidjo)
  2. Fat Bach And Greens (Feat. Regina Carter)
  3. Consider Me Gone (Feat. Sting)
  4. Guajeo Y Tumbao (Feat. Eddie Palmieri)
  5. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (Feat. Roy Hargrove)
  6. Spiritual (Feat. Dr. Billy Taylor)
  7. It’s Your Thing (Feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
  8. Alone Together (Feat. Hank Jones)
  9. Mc Dukey Blues (Feat. George Duke)
  10. Tango Improvisation #1 (Feat. Chick Corea)
  11. Sister Rosa (Feat. Russell Malone)
  12. Shake And Blake (Feat. Ron Blake)
  13. Chitlins And Gifltefish (Feat. Gina Gershon)

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