Joshua Redman – Timeless Tales (For Changing Times)

Joshua Redman – Timeless Tales (For Changing Times)

A sophisticated and imaginative reinterpretation of modern and classic songwriting, Timeless Tales (For Changing Times) from acclaimed saxophonist Joshua Redman showcases his ability to bridge the worlds of jazz improvisation and popular music with intelligence, sensitivity, and expressive depth. Released in 1998, the album finds Redman exploring a curated selection of songs from across genres and eras, reimagined through a contemporary jazz lens.

Rather than focusing solely on jazz standards, the album draws from an eclectic range of composers - including Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Prince - alongside timeless works from the Great American Songbook. Each piece is transformed through Redman’s lyrical tenor saxophone voice and a modern, rhythmically fluid jazz approach.

The album is structured with brief interludes that act as connective tissue between longer performances, giving the record a reflective, almost narrative flow. Standout interpretations such as Eleanor Rigby, Visions, and Love For Sale highlight Redman’s ability to honour the emotional core of each composition while expanding its harmonic and improvisational possibilities.

Timeless Tales stands as a thoughtful, beautifully performed exploration of musical storytelling - where jazz tradition meets contemporary song craft in a seamless and deeply expressive way.

Tracklist:

1. Summertime (Dubose & Dorothy Heyward / George & Ira Gershwin) – 6:18
2. Interlude 1 – 0:45
3. Visions (Stevie Wonder) – 4:25
4. Yesterdays (Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach) – 7:19
5. Interlude 2 – 0:35
6. I Had A King (Joni Mitchell) – 5:40
7. The Times They Are A-Changin’ (Bob Dylan) – 5:08
8. Interlude 3 – 0:20
9. It Might As Well Be Spring (Rodgers & Hammerstein) – 6:28
10. Interlude 4 – 0:14
11. How Deep Is The Ocean (Irving Berlin) – 4:03
12. Interlude 5 – 0:25
13. Love For Sale (Cole Porter) – 6:31
14. Interlude 6 – 0:59
15. Eleanor Rigby (Lennon–McCartney) – 8:46
16. Interlude 7 – 0:35
17. How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore (Prince) – 5:00