CD Review: Yoko Miwa Trio - Pathways

Yoko Miwa (piano); Will Slater (bass); Scott Goulding (drums) + Brad Barrett (bass 1 track).

(Review by Lance).

I never get tired of listening to piano trios. There's something about the piano, bass and drums set up that always lights a spark within me. I know its formulaic - but, so is the recipe for Jack Daniel's!

Miwa's trio is in the Jack Daniel's league with the added bonus of not having a hangover the next day.

A mix of originals, Joni Mitchell, a couple by former Bill Evans' bassist Marc Johnson and a Lennon & McCartney tune I didn't know - Dear Prudence.

Lickety Split is the first of her originals. Husband Goulding drives it along and Miwa is in Tyner mode. The Goalkeeper,  inspired by a neighbour's cat who visits and who seemingly has the ability to paw balls back up floor without conceding. Rumour has it that a couple of northeast Championship sides are vying to sign the feline. The piece itself is a jaunty romp that has a Powell/Peterson feel to it with Miwa playing those rich block chords favoured by so many of the piano greats.

Lantern Light is quite moving with a lyrical feel. The fragile sense of a single lantern being carried through a dark night, whilst the bluesy Was it Something I Said? is classic jazz piano and, once again, Bud and Oscar spring to mind.

Not surprisingly, The two compositions by Johnson, Log O'Rhythm and After You, feature Slater and he isn't found wanting. Indeed, he is a tower of strength throughout. Digging deep when it's all hands on deck yet laying back when laying back is called for.

Joni's Court and Spark draws on the melancholic mood of so much of her work and, even without words, the feel is there.

Dear Prudence, as I said earlier, Is a number I'm unfamiliar with but, like so many Beatles' songs, the melody often takes on a totally new perspective when the words are removed. I suspect this may be the case here. Whatever, the trio put their own stamp on it (Barrett  takes over from Slater on this one).

It's a delightful album. It won't be my CD of the Year but it will be more than a hill of beans nearer the top than the bottom.

Well worth checking out.

Lance.