Carla Bley: Utviklingssang

"Evolution Song," in the language of her Swedish ancestors, was penned by Carla Bley for the great band she had at the beginning of the 1980s, and she actually recorded it again on her more recent CD 4 X 4 (2000). A plaintive motif by Carlos Ward's alto sax, repeated with a heavier beat by Michael Mantler's trumpet, then by Gary Valente's trombone, leads to Tony Dagradi's dramatic tenor solo supported by the rhythm section. The rest of band joins in to give a lush churchy feel to this hymn-like song that has a strangely nostalgic way of celebrating evolution. Carla Bley's dry humor must have something to do with this paradox.