The Child Within
| The Child Within | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 20, 1996 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Shanachie | |||
| Producer | Billy Childs | |||
| Billy Childs chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Child Within is an album by the American musician Billy Childs, released on August 20, 1996.[1][2] Childs supported it with several live dates.[3] The Child Within was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Jazz Performance, Individual or Group", with "Aaron's Song" nominated for "Best Instrumental Composition".[4]
Production
[edit]The album was produced by Childs.[5] He was backed by Dave Holland on bass, Jeff Watts on drums, and Terence Blanchard on trumpet.[6] Steve Wilson contributed on alto and soprano saxophone; Ravi Coltrane played tenor on one track.[7][8] "The Loneliest Monk" is named for a mispronunciation of "Thelonious Monk", allegedly made by MTV's Tabitha Soren.[5] "Theme from Chinatown" is an interpretation of Jerry Goldsmith's composition for the film Chinatown.[8]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide | [10] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD | [8] |
Billboard stated that "Childs' keyboard style is often dizzyingly funky, with a passing resemblance to the acoustic Herbie Hancock."[5] The Ottawa Citizen said that Childs "combines intricacy with high energy ... [his] take on jazz playing is broad enough to make for interesting ballads."[11] The New York Daily News noted that Childs "dives into fresh and inventive charts for standards and originals that organically frame the striking solos."[12] The Washington Post said that "Childs's meld of classical grace and jazz spirit proves bracing".[13] The Record criticized the "uncharacteristically sour play" of Blanchard.[7]
AllMusic called the album "a dandy collection of bop-influenced originals and some well-chosen standards".[9] MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide praised Childs's "unending melodic creativity".[10]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Loverman" | |
| 2. | "The Loneliest Monk" | |
| 3. | "Aaron's Song" | |
| 4. | "The Hunted" | |
| 5. | "Theme from Chinatown" | |
| 6. | "Alone Together" | |
| 7. | "Pannonica" | |
| 8. | "Just Another Day" | |
| 9. | "Dreams" | |
| 10. | "I Have a Love" |
References
[edit]- ^ Takiff, Jonathan (August 8, 1996). "Throwing Muses, Face Mobb, II D Extreme to release new albums". Montgomery Advertiser. Knight-Ridder Tribune. p. 4C.
- ^ Macnie, Jim (August 10, 1996). "Jazz blue notes". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 32. p. 36.
- ^ "Childs Jazz Group to Perform Free Concert". Los Angeles Times. October 5, 1996. p. F4.
- ^ "Grammy Awards '97". Los Angeles Daily News. January 8, 1997. p. L6.
- ^ a b c "The Child Within". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 35. August 31, 1996. p. 115.
- ^ Blumenthal, Howard J. (1997). The Jazz CD Listener's Guide. Billboard Books. p. 81.
- ^ a b Fox, Ron (March 14, 1997). "Quick Spins". Lifestyle/Previews. The Record. p. 9.
- ^ a b c The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD (4th ed.). Penguin Books. 1998. pp. 279–280.
- ^ a b "Child Within Review by Stewart Mason". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. pp. 227–228.
- ^ Hum, Peter (December 28, 1996). "Jazz". The Ottawa Citizen. p. H3.
- ^ Santoro, Gene (August 20, 1996). "Record Reviews". Daily News. p. 46.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (April 13, 1997). "Here & Now". The Washington Post. p. G3.