Fred
Fried (acoustic guitar), Michael Lavoie (double bass) & Miki Matsuki
(drums)
(Review by Russell).
Guitarist Fred Fried resides in Cape Cod , Massachusetts
Core Bacharach is his tenth release as a leader. Bacharach. Yes,
Burt Bacharach. Fried rightly states Bacharach’s tunes ‘are, by any definition,
standards and as such hold up to varying interpretations.’ The tunes are so
familiar that on first hearing them as instrumentals it proves difficult to free
the mind (if indeed one should attempt to do so) of the originals and their sing-a-long
lyrics. Fried cites Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery as early influences but it
was, perhaps, a six month stint studying with George Van Eps that shaped his
‘conception’.
Van Eps’ pupil got to thinking
‘pianistically’ and with the addition of a low ‘A’ string below the low ‘E’ and
a high ‘A’ string above the high ‘E’ expanding the range, he interchanges
chords and single line improvisations with masterful sleight of hand.
Bacharach’s melodies are made for the improviser. In the company of bassist
Michael Lavoie and drummer Miki Matsuki Fried respects the composer’s work but isn’t
afraid to lose himself in his improvisations, secure in the knowledge that bass
and drums – the trio is a previously recorded, working unit – will offer
sympathetic contributions throughout. I
Say a Little Prayer opens the eleven track CD with Fried’s guitar recalling
the elegance of Charlie Byrd, bassist Lavoie exhibits a tasteful light touch on
the first of several solos and Matsuki’s unobtrusive use of mallets is
exemplary.
The Look of Love and Walk on By are given a stately
treatment. An additional chord sequence
of Fried’s added to Wives and Lovers
showcases the trio’s collective swing feel (tight, fizzing work from Matsuki) and
on What’s New Pussycat? Lavoie’s funk
vibe launches Fried on a soaring solo flight and the man from Cape Cod
disappears into the distance over the Atlantic
(the studio engineer’s fade out!).
Lavoie’s warm, resonant sound and
Matsuki’s lush brush work on A House is
Not a Home complement the leader’s introspective invention but it isn't
long before the swing feel returns on Bacharach’s joyful message This Guy’s in Love With You. The set
closes with a solo piece from Fried.
On first listening to the CD the
thought occurred – is there an unaccompanied track by the leader? Alfie is the track. Excellent guitar
playing from Fried. Excellent playing from all three musicians. A fine new CD (Fried’s
back catalogue should be worth checking out), Core Bacharach by Fred Fried and CORE is available on Ballet Tree Jazz Productions. Visit www.fredfried.com
Russell.
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