This could well be my CD of the year even though it was recorded live in 1996. Music such as this is timeless irrespective of where or when it was recorded which, in this case, happened to be at Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens on July 6, 1996.
Nothing freaky, just pure hard bop that swings as so many of the Copenhagen cats did in those days which, considering the number of American jazzmen that either stayed or passed through the Danish capital around that time, isn't surprising.
Botschinsky, who died in 2020 aged 80, played alongside most of those visitors including, Getz, Dexter, Konitz and Kenny Dorham who may have had a strong influence on Botschinsky although when it comes to ballad playing he owes nothing to no one. I know that last sentence is a double negative but the trick is to decide who that someone - if anyone - is.
Jædig leaves the listener in no doubt as to where his roots lie. Dexter with a nod towards Ben. Dex on the up tempo numbers, Ben on the ballads. He spent 14 years with the Danish Radio Big Band as well as recording with Philly Joe Jones and others.
The two horns complement each other sometimes interspersed with a Fischer guitar solo. On Donna Lee he almost eclipses them both before Lundgaard comes forth but most certainly not fourth. With Riel driving them on there were no losers - just winners.
I'm already on a high and I've yet to hear the second disc of this doubler!
Well let me just say it's as good, maybe even better, than the first which it isn't - that would be impossible although It Might as Well be Spring could be a clincher and a contender for that year's best ballad performance. Not just in Denmark but anywhere. Lyricism all round from these great Danes.
If there was a TARDIS near me I'd be in it and heading for Copenhagen, July 6, 1996. However, as I've never watched Doctor Who I wouldn't know what to do if I did find one.
Fortunately this 2 x CD set allows me to listen to the music in the comfort of my own home and the way the buses are these days who knows how long you'd have to wait to time travel - probably ages! Lance
Allan Botschinsky Quintet - Live at The Tivoli Gardens 1996 available on Stunt Records 0n Nov. 11. BANDCAMP.
Four; A Song for Anna Sophie; It's You or No One; I Thought About You; What's Knew?; Donna Lee; What is This Thing Called Love?; All of You; Rhythm-a-Ning;It Might as Well be Spring; I'll Remember April.
No comments :
Post a Comment