Recorded live at Dizzy's Club in NYC Renovation poses the question as to why Benny Green's name wasn't in the shuffle for a mention in this year's Annual DownBeat Critics Poll? On the strength of this solo piano album he could lock Steinways with any of those who did.
Green's playing can be bluesy, funky, soulful, balladic or none of those things. Like Paul Edis last night he can slot in a stride chorus at the drop of a hat and make it feel so right.
It's a gorgeous mix of standards and originals. The standards include Bobby Timmons' This Here; Randy Weston's Hi-Fly; Two Sleepy People by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser; Ray Brown's Blues For Junior and The Night we Called it a Day by the most underrated composing duo of them all, Matt Dennis and Tom Adair.
Green's own compositions are: For Duke Pearson; Constitutional; Cedar Would; T Here; Seoul Station; My Girl Bill; Wiggin'; Sophy's Chant; Ernie's Uncle. As the titles imply several are dedicated to individuals - they should feel honoured, the DownBeat critics should feel ashamed. Lance
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