Andrew Oliver (piano); David Horniblow (clarinet/bass clarinet/bass sax).(Review by Lance).
A delightful reminder that Jelly Roll was, perhaps, the first great jazz pianist as well as being the music's first great composer of any standing - if he'd been alive today he'd have told you so himself. The 15 tracks are selected from the duo's project to record all 93 of Morton's compositions - the complete works (all 93!) can be heard on YouTube - a labour of love that they completed in 2018. However, before you ignore the rest and go Tuberdiving thinking you've pulled a fast one, I must point out that the YouTube tracks were recorded in the player's sitting room as opposed to the album which was recorded with a top of the range Steinway in one of the best studios in London and professionally mastered in Helsinki!
Oliver, from Portland, Oregon, has fully absorbed Morton's style and does it so authentically that the only person I can think of to compare him with, apart from JRM himself, is Keith Nichols and now that Oliver is living in London the thought of a two-piano session with Keith would be a mouthwatering prospect.
The appropriately named Horniblow - a Guildhall graduate who saw the light - has performed with most of the UK trad bands including Barber, Bilk and Ball as well as dipping his toe further down the line with Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland and George Benson. With such a pedigree his fluency is perhaps closer to Goodman than Johnny Dodds or Jimmy Noone - maybe Irving Fazola or Albert Nicholas. Whatever, as a duo they hit it off perfectly.
Recommended, and not just for MFs (Mouldy Figs).
Lance.
Shreveport Stomp; Croc-O-Dile Cradle; Gan Jam; State and Madison; Finger Buster; Courthouse Bump; Stratford Hunch; Manita; Good Old New York; Freakish; I Hate a Man Like You; Jungle Blues; Black Bottom Stomp; Mr Jelly Lord; My Home is in a Southern Town.
No comments :
Post a Comment