''Rain or Shine'' is an album by pianist Jodie Christian. It was recorded during May 1991 and December 1993 at Riverside Studio in Chicago, and was released in 1994 by Delmark Records. On the album, Christian is joined by saxophonists Art Porter and

Roscoe Mitchell Roscoe Mitchell (born August 3, 1940) is an American composer, jazz instrumentalist, and educator, known for being "a technically superb – if idiosyncratic – saxophonist". ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' described him as "one of the key figures ...

, trombonist Paul McKee, bassist

Larry Gray Larry Gray is a Chicago musician known for his compositions and skill on the double bass and cello. His primary teachers were Joseph Guastafeste, longtime principal bassist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and cellist Karl Fruh.University of Il ...

, drummers Ernie Adams, George Hughes, and Vincent Davis, and vocalist Francine Griffin.

Reception

In a review for AllMusic,

Scott Yanow Scott Yanow (born October 4, 1954) is an American jazz reviewer, historian, and author.Allmusic Biography/ref> Biography Yanow was born in New York City and grew up near Los Angeles. Since 1974, he was a regular reviewer of many jazz styles an ...

wrote: "Christian's versatility is displayed during this wide-ranging set and most of the selections work quite well." The authors of '' The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings'' stated: "'Let's Try' is a fine opener with sterling work by McKee and Porter and the ballad medley works well." However, they disliked the tracks that feature "an unusually sour and argumentative Roscoe Mitchell," noting that they "don't fit in, no matter how nobly Christian tries to bring them round."

Track listing

# "Let's Try" ( Tom McIntosh) – 6:42 # "Song For Atala" (Roscoe Mitchell) – 8:03 # Ballad Medley: " My Foolish Heart" ( Victor Young, Ned Washington) / " Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (

Jimmy Van Heusen James Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock; January 26, 1913 – February 6, 1990) was an American composer. He wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Life and care ...

, Johnny Burke) / " A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" ( Manning Sherwin,

Eric Maschwitz Albert Eric Maschwitz OBE (10 June 1901 – 27 October 1969), sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, editor, broadcaster and broadcasting executive. Life and work Born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, and desc ...

) / " What's New?" (

Bob Haggart Robert Sherwood Haggart (March 13, 1914 – December 2, 1998) was an American dixieland jazz double bass player, composer, and arranger. Although he is associated with dixieland, he was one of the finest rhythm bassists of the Swing Era. Music c ...

, Johnny Burke) – 11:22 # " Yardbird Suite" ( Charlie Parker) – 3:53 # "Coltrane's View" (Jodie Christian) – 10:06 # "Mr. Freddie" (Roscoe Mitchell) – 5:30 # "Chromatically Speaking" (Jodie Christian) – 6:07 # " Come Rain or Come Shine" (

Harold Arlen Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck; February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film ...

Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallich ...

) – 4:21 # " Cherokee" ( Ray Noble) – 7:59

Personnel

* Jodie Christian – piano, synthesizer, vocals *

– alto saxophone (track 6), soprano saxophone (track 5), oboe (track 2) * Art Porter – alto saxophone (tracks 1, 3, 5–7, 9) * Paul McKee – trombone (tracks 1, 7, 9) *

– bass * Ernie Adams – drums (tracks 1, 3, 7, 9) * George Hughes – drums (tracks 1, 4, 8) * Vincent Davis – drums (tracks 2, 5, 6) * Francine Griffin – vocals (tracks 4, 8)

References

{{Reflist 1994 albums Jodie Christian albums Delmark Records albums