AMG Review of Rain or Shine

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This set by Chicago pianist Jodie Christian has both strong and weak moments. Easily the low point is the Art Ensemble of Chicago's Roscoe Mitchell's playing on oboe during "Song for Atala" (way out-of-tune) although his work on soprano ("Coltrane's View") and alto ("Mr. Freddie") is better. Christian has a couple trio numbers ("Yardbird Suite" and "Come Rain or Come Shine") with Francine Griffin's so-so vocals. Several tunes feature altoist Art Porter, who would make a name for himself as a crossover saxophonist before his untimely death; Porter shows how strong a jazz player he could be. Christian's versatility is displayed during this wide-ranging set and most of the selections work quite well.