Posts Tagged Standards
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June 1, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Masabumi Kikuchi: Hanamichi
Masabumi Kikuchi Hanamichi Red Hook Records Masabumi Kikuchi was a pianist working across jazz and improvisation. We don’t always get to know aspects of the rich story of the Japanese musicians creating jazz unless we seek it out – although Kikuchi not only created solo piano albums and was the leader of small combos, he […]Archive
June 1, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Frederick Johnson & Andre Reiss: Duo
Frederick Johnson & Andre Reiss Duo TNT Groove International Journeyman singer Frederick Johnson, a Tampa Bay native, has a dreamy voice – and he never over-sings. Much the same can be said for Nashville guitarist Andre (Andy) Reiss. He never over-sings on his instrument – he’s got all of the Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow tricks […]Archive
May 7, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Mandy Barnett: Every Star Above
Mandy Barnett Every Star Above BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd Mandy Barnett is sometimes referred to as “the country Judy Garland”, a modern day torch singer – a Nashville chanteuse. She’s a country singer but her ability to carry the depth and breadth of a tune and sell the story of a song has always […]Archive
April 16, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Pasquale Grasso: Solo Ballads
Pasquale Grasso Solo Ballads Sony Music Entertainment Pasquale Grasso has freakish talent – here on a set of solo guitar pieces he plays his sincere, respectful renditions of established classics. No funny business, this is not some Marc Ribot deconstruction, instead think of the tone and taste of Jim Hall, the technique of Pat Metheny, […]Archive
February 25, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Willie Nelson: That’s Life
Willie Nelson That’s Life SMG Just last year, Willie Nelson released one of his greatest records in some time. Just lovely. At 87 he didn’t sound a day over 85, the way he’s sounded since at least 1985. And in true love ‘em and leave ‘em style here is, just a few months later, with […]Archive
November 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Dave Brubeck: Lullabies
Dave Brubeck Lullabies Verve This is Dave Brubeck’s final album – released just now, but recorded a decade ago. It’s a set of charming-enough lullabies, the real weight of them can be measured by the wait I guess – and the timing now of release; early next month it is the jazz legend’s centenary so […]Archive
November 15, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Fred Hersch: Songs From Home
Fred Hersch Songs From Home Palmetto Records Covid records. There’ll be many more to come. What to do when you can’t play a show – when you can’t get together with the full band, when you can’t do your job but need to try to make some money; more than that need to connect – […]Archive
November 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Lauren Henderson: The Songbook Session
Lauren Henderson The Songbook Session Brontosaurus Records Lauren Henderson has been building her brand across a handful of albums and an EP – she’s a great singer of jazz, and she turns her ear to songs that sit just outside of the genre as well as honouring the ‘songbook’ classics; she’s as likely to reach […]Archive
October 4, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Diana Krall: This Dream of You
Diana Krall This Dream of You Verve I was never that big on Diana Krall albums – they were good, all of them, but I didn’t care which one I heard. I just heard them – in shops where I worked, in preparation for reviewing her shows (saw her twice, very good both times) and […]Archive
March 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Sam Gendel: Satin Doll
Sam Gendel Satin Doll Nonesuch Records Someone said Sam Gendel plays saxophone like he’s trying to erase his instrument. I like that. And can’t improve on it. For this album of jazz standards – tweaked, or even twerked, into new shapes and sounds – you might do well to think of the producer and bassist […]Archive
March 12, 2020 by Simon Sweetman