A Waltz for Grace

A Waltz for Grace
Studio album by Steve Williamson
Released	1990
Recorded	Westside Studios, London and Systems Two Studios, New York
Genre	Jazz
Length	58:35
Label	Verve
Producer	Steve Coleman, Glenn Skinner, Steve Williamson
Steve Williamson chronology
A Waltz for Grace (1990) Rhyme Time (That Fuss Was Us) (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[2]

A Waltz for Grace is the debut album by English saxophonist Steve Williamson that was released on the Verve label in 1990.

Reception

AllMusic awarded the album with 3 stars and its review by Scott Yanow states: "At 25, Williamson displayed an original tenor sound and, although some of his soloing is in the Greg Osby/Gary Thomas 'M Base' mode, he was not limited to that abstract style of improvising".^[1] The Penguin Guide review says: "What is lastingly impressive about A Waltz for Grace is its tremendous rhythmic variety. 'Groove Thang' (a UK recorded soprano-percussion duet) leads directly into the fuller-sounding 'Synthesis' from New York, both largely dependent on Williamson's ability to balance a line over a jolting, staccato pulse".^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Steve Williamson except where indicated

1. "Soon Come" – 4:14
2. "Mandela" – 4:29
3. "Synthesis" – 4:59
4. "Ornithology"
5. "Lauren"
6. "Visions" (Stevie Wonder) – 4:46
7. "Mandy's Mood" – 5:49
8. "Straight Ahead" – 4:45
9. "Groove Thang" – 1:42
10. "Hummingbird" – 5:41
11. "Words Within Words"
12. "Awakening" – 4:35
13. "A Waltz for Grace" – 4:15

Personnel

• Steve Williamson – all saxophones
• Mark Mondesir – drums
• Lonnie Plaxico – bass
• Gary Crosby – bass
• Dave Gilmore – guitar
• Hawi Gondwe – guitar
• Julian Joseph – piano
• Abbey Lincoln – vocals on "A Waltz for Grace"

References

1. Yanow, S.Allmusic: A Waltz for Grace accessed 1 May 2010
2. Richard Cook and Brian Morton, The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette (Penguin, 1992: ISBN 978-0-14-015364-4).