Ken Hatfield
(guitar, composer, arranger); Hilary Gardner (vocals); Jamie Baum (alto flute); Hans Glawischnig (bass); Jeff Hirshfield
(drums); Steven Kroon (percussion) Langston Hughes
(1902-1967 lyrics).(Review by Ann Alex)
Phew! This
review has been done just in time for what would have been Langston Hughes
birthday, which is February 1.
So what, you ask? Well the CD is
a celebration of Hughes’ poetry. His writing was part of what is known in the USA
Hatfield, the
composer, has gathered superb musicians for this project, including Hilary
Gardner, a skilled soprano using her voice as a jazz singer should, and Jamie
Baum on alto flute, making an interesting change from the usual saxes and
trumpets of the front line.
Tracks include
an instrumental, Overture, with a
distinctly urban sound, yet quirky as well; an amusing blues I Don’t Believe in Titles; (I quote)
Do
not call me doctor if I get a Phd
Just
keep on calling me sweetie, ‘cos that is good to me
I don’t believe in titles when it comes to
love’
This track has a
good bass solo and a definite 1920’s blues feel.
Then there’s Lonely Nocturne, which is about coming
home with no-one to welcome you, which manages to be sad yet playful; In Time of Silver Rain the flute imitates
raindrops; Silent One, with a Latin
beat and percussion solo of gently ringing cymbals; political songs, one about
a dead soldier and another concerning youthful revolutionaries who have no
doubts; Convent/Silence, an unusual
song with soft continuous cymbals which cleverly give the effect of quietness
and space. The final track is a suitable
ending, The Bells Toll Kindly, about
dying to the sound of bells and remembering love, but not at all morbid. The
general mood of the CD is optimistic, with lots of forward-moving tunes, and
many short solos on flute and guitar.
Another disc I’m glad to have in my collection.
The
Ken Hatfield Sextet: For Langston is released on February1, 2013 by Arthur Circle Music.
Ann Alex.
Ann Alex.
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