Elijah Rock (vocal); Kevin Toney (piano); John B. Williams (bass); Greg Paul (drums); Jacques Lesure/John Stone (guitar).
(Review by Lance)
I must confess, I didn’t know Elijah Rock from Adam Ant (biblical/music joke) and it maybe wasn’t intended for me anyway as our vocal prophet made reference to me alongside the Birmingham/London based jazz blog, the Jazz Breakfast. However, Peter Bacon was happy to pass the baton on to me and, in retrospect it may not have been the best decision he ever made – unless he’s a Cole Porter man.
Think Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Cleveland Watkiss and the other rich-toned baritones that have enriched the jazz scene over the years. Elijah is on the fringe of that select group and, on the evidence of this album he’ll soon be an integral part of it.
It’s not all Gershwin, well actually it is ‘cept occasionally, its bro Ira who keeps the family flag flying (e.g. lyric to Vernon Duke’s I Can’t Get Started and, with respect, would the tune have made it without that great lyric? Ira also collaborated with Kurt Weill on Tchaikovsky and other Russians).
There are two major plusses. He DOESN’T sing Summertime and he DOES sing Isn’t a Pity?
Those magnificent lines regretting the missed opportunities:
Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted,
Fishing for salmon, losing at backgammon!
What joys untasted,
My nights were sour, spent with Schopenhauer!
Throw in some super sensitive piano by Toney and a solid engine room and it truly is - S’wonderful; Fascinating Rhythm; I Can’t Get started; How Long Has This Been Going on?; Long Ago and Far Away; Our Love is Here to Stay; Shall we Dance; Gershwin for my Soul (original); Tchaikovsky (and other Russians); Love Walked in; I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’; Isn’t it a Pity?
As good a shot at Gershwin this side of Ella.
Lance.
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