Junko Onishi - Live at the Village Vanguard And II

Album:  Live at the Village Vanguard
Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:35
Size: 127,6 MB
Art: Front

( 8:27)  1. So Long Eric
( 9:16)  2. Blue Skies
( 6:32)  3. Concorde
(10:45)  4. How Long Has This Been Going On
( 6:31)  5. Darn That Dream
(14:02)  6. Congeniality

This is a memorable set. When pianist Junko Onishi performs songs from the likes of Charles Mingus ("So Long Eric"), John Lewis ("Concorde"), and Ornette Coleman ("Congeniality"), she interprets each of the tunes as much as possible within the intent and style of its composer. "So Long Eric," although performed by her trio, gives one the impression at times that several horns are soloing together; in addition, polyrhythms are utilized part of the time, Ornette's "Congeniality" has a strong pulse but fairly free improvising, while "Concorde" sounds both distinguished and full of blues feeling, like John Lewis himself. Onishi's exploration of "Blue Skies" uplifts the warhorse through the use of colorful vamps and an altered melody, she takes the slow ballad "Darn That Dream" as a medium-tempo stomp, and her original, "How Long Has This Been Goin' On," is brooding but not downbeat and swings hard without losing its serious nature. There is not a weak selection in the bunch and the interplay between Onishi, bassist Reginald Veal, and drummer Herlin Riley is quite impressive. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-village-vanguard-mw0000175639

Personnel: Junko Onishi (piano); Reginald Veal (bass); Herlin Riley (drums).

Live at the Village Vanguard

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Album: Live at the Village Vanguard II 
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:26
Size: 129,3 MB

( 9:19)  1. House of Blue Lights
(10:27)  2. Never Let Me Go
(10:24)  3. Brilliant Corners
(20:29)  4. Ringo Oiwake
( 5:45)  5. Tea for Two

This is a follow up release of additional material from the May 1994 concerts at the Village Vanguard by the 20-something piano sensation, the first volume having been released in 1995 to wide attention. Onishi is a master of the post-bop piano, playing with speed and command. She is also characterized by a heavy-handed, propulsive approach. The album is a traditional piano trio setting. For these concerts, she appeared with new rhythm section mates, bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Herlin Riley, but they must have got their act together during the week at the club, for their playing is tight and assured. Being a live album, it includes only five pieces, all lengthy treatments, of jazz compositions "House of Blue Lights" and "Brilliant Corners," two standards, and a Japanese tune, "Ringo Oiwake." On the repertory pieces, Onishi plays stirringly but adds nothing new, while the Japanese song runs over 20 minutes long, including extended bass and drum solos. The length of these trio tracks might be great, depending on your point of view. ~ Sid Gribetz  http://jazztimes.com/articles/9576-live-at-the-village-vanguard-2-junko-onishi-trio

Personnel: Junko Onishi (piano); Herlin Riley (drums).

Live at the Village Vanguard II

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