CD 2: James Masser replaces Evans.
When reviewing the Monty Alexander sessions from Montreux I made reference to his early idols. First and foremost amongst those idols was Ahmad Jamal and, lo and behold, the next day two double CD albums by Jamal landed in the passage and this is the first of the two.
Alexander's early idolatry is well founded he'd be 19 when the first of these two albums were recorded live at the Penthouse Club in Seattle and it certainly provided the benchmark for any aspiring jazz pianist.
Previously unreleased, the two discs from 1963 and 1964 demonstrate that Jamal was in fine form - when was he not? His technique, whilst it is equal to that of any classical concert pianist, doesn't run riot but is tailored to the tune, a point that Cannonball Adderley made some years go stating that he treats each tune as a composition to be worked on, to make it fit and to enhance the original rather than just treating it as a jumping off point.
Each tune here is treated in just such a way, possibly causing those composers still alive to wonder why they didn't think of that! As a bonus, the notes in the booklet are interesting and informative and include reminiscences of Ahmad by fellow piano icon the late Ramsey Lewis, appropriately headed: Happiness All Over the Room. And happiness does indeed pervade all over the room whether it was in the Seattle club back then or in your own home listening to his playing on the hi-fi now.
Tremendous! 1965 and 1966 review coming shortly! Lance.
Available Elemental Music on Nov. 25 ( 2 x 2 vinyl LP) and Dec. 2 (2 x 2 CD).
Johnny One Note; Minor Adjustments; All of You; Squatty Roo.
Bogota; Lollipops and Roses; Tangerine; Keep on Keeping on; Minor Moods; But Not For Me
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