CD Review: Ken Peplowski - Maybe September.

Ken Peplowski (clt/ten); Ted Rosenthal (pno); Martin Wind (bs); Matt Wilson (dms).
(Review by Lance)

With a cover painting by Edward Hopper the omens were good and the contents lived up to my expectations. Peplowski's in fine form here - come to think of it, when isn't he in fine form? Over the years I've heard him in various formats including memorable sessions with Marty Grosz and also Alan Barnes and he never fails to deliver.

The material is varied, a KP original - Always a Bridesmaid (not unlike Just You, Just me) is whimsically described by the composer as reflecting his position in the jazz magazine polls. Romanza, from the Poulenc Clarinet Sonata, is played fairly straight as is Lennon and McCartney's For No One. Other unusual choices include Nilsson's Without You, and Brian Wilson's Caroline. Duke's Main Stem and Artie's Moon Ray, are more in the jazz tradition whilst Now and Then There's a Fool Such as I was a hit for Hank Snow and later Elvis Presley! There's also a choice selection of standards - All Alone by the Telephone (I.Berlin), I'll String Along With You (Dubin and Warren) and Maybe September (Jay Livingstone, Ray Evans, Percy Faith.)

In many ways this is quite a melancholic disc. Most of the titles explore the theme of unrequited love and the emotional content is is to the fore. Nevertheless, KP pulls it off aided and abetted by a fine trio. To give an idea how they gelled - the complete session was done in around 3 hours!
Ken Peplowski - Maybe September is now available on Capri 74125-2.
Lance.