Like the first Standards session (reviewed HERE) Vol. 2 consists of another selection of lesser known standards played impeccably by a superb trio. All three of whom are grandmasters of that magical art we call jazz.
Blue Gardenia: From the 1953 movie of the same name. I recall seeing it at my local fleapit and being impressed by Nat 'King' Cole's version, sung at the piano in a restaurant. The voice as noir as the plot. Silberstein too does it justice and nobody gets killed.
Just as Though You Were Here: Composed by jazz pianist John Benson Brooks, the song was recorded by Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra handling the 'vocal refrain'. It'a lovely, dreamy melody and I can imagine the bobbysoxers swooning over the up and coming singer. Maybe the teenagers of today won't be having paroxysms listening to Silberstein's imaginative chords but maybe their mothers - and their mothers too could be.
Tenor Madness: George Coleman was given the call to fill Sonny Rollins' shoes for this iconic piece from the Rollins' canon. Silberstein also tries on the shoes for size. Hart and Patitucci have been wearing them for so long they're as comfortable as their grandma's slippers. Shame that Coleman didn't hang around.
Love Thy Neighbor: A Harry Revel/Mack Gordon tune sung by, among others, Bing Crosby. Long after the composers had died it was used as the signature tune of a British TV sitcom of the same name. The racist theme of show, which ran for eight seasons, was considered to be very funny at the time - how attitudes have changed over the ensuing 50 years. The trio don't make any radical statements, content to slot into a nice easy swing.
Answer me, my Love: Originally recorded as Answer me, oh my Lord by both Frankie Laine and David Whitfield it reached number one in the charts only to be banned by the BBC on religious grounds (this was 1953 don't forget) so they recorded it again under the later title - I ask you! With or without the words, It's not a wonderful tune. The trio make the most of the hand they're dealt with.
Bluesville: This is more like it! Sonny Red's masterpiece is the perfect launchpad for all three. Hart has his first extended workout of the session adding that extra sparkle to the sizzlers from Silberstein and Patitucci.
Delilah: Not to be confused with the 1960s' hit by Tom Jones. This is a 1930s' song by Victor Young and recorded by Lee Wiley with a gang of Condonites. Unlike the song by TJ this one has an eastern feel to it emphasised by Silberstein's use of oud instead of guitar.
Portrait of Jennie: From a 1948 film and later recorded by Nat 'King' Cole and, over the years, a whole lot of jazz musicians including Clifford Brown and J.J. Johnson. However, despite the antecedents, they effectively stamp it with their own interpretaion. It's beautiful.
Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams: No introduction needed to this good old good one. Everybody has played it and this is one of the best. Ideas flow endlessly from both guitar and bass with Hart so sympathetic he should have an 'e' in his surname.
The Girl Next Door: Coming on the back of definitive versions by Judy and Frank the gauntlet was laid down, picked up and delivered so lyrically it's as if to say: "Who needs words?
You don't have to be a a guitarist, a bassist or a drummer to enjoy this album - just someone who loves music. Lance
Release date is April 18 - tomorrow!
No comments :
Post a Comment