Paul Edis (piano)
Another appointment with Paul Edis' late night Ballads Before Bed live stream series. Six tunes, each one a gem, pianist Edis listed the compositions (and their composers) and without further commentary proceeded to play them.
Everything Happens to Me (comp Adair/Dennis) opened the half hour set. Beautifully relaxed, no hurry, perfect late hour listening. A YouTube watcher approved of the overhead camera although was quick to add that for most of the set they sat listening with eyes closed! Dipping into the Ellington songbook is always a good move and this evening we heard Sophisticated Lady.
The Fabian Andre-Wilbur Schwandt number Dream a Little Dream of Me with lyrics by Gus Kahn caught the mood and an unseasonal Autumn in New York (Vernon Duke) fitted perfectly regardless of season. Our host couldn't help the occasional glance at a monitor - yes, we were watching! - otherwise it was on with the music.
Pianist Paul has often spoken of his high regard for Bill Evans as pianist and composer so it came as little surprise that he included Song for Helen in the set list. Rarely, if at all, has our host played a number more than once during this lockdown period - that's quite some achievement given that each composition is approached with the utmost care. To close this evening's Ballads Before Bed Cole Porter's Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye was, coincidentally, the subject of today's early evening edition of Soul Music on Radio 4 Extra. From a BBC radio programme to a YouTube live stream, it was class all the way.
Russell
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