Time: 56:29
Size: 129.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1993/2014
Art: Front
[5:47] 1. Milestones
[7:39] 2. Old Devil Moon
[9:25] 3. I'm A Fool To Want You
[7:12] 4. Without You
[4:51] 5. Grand Central Station
[6:40] 6. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[6:51] 7. Invitation
[8:01] 8. Nica's Dream
Bass – Rufus Reid; Drums – Victor Lewis; Piano – Mulgrew Miller; Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Dave Liebman. Recorded at Red Rock, Hartford, Pensylvania, May 1992.
"Reinventing" the standard may be more like it. For those listeners who, even in this short-attention-span post-modern age, remember the original melodies (perhaps from listening to Sinatra or Sonny Stitt records), Dave Liebman's revisions should prove both surprising and refreshing. His soprano is somewhere between Kenny G and Steve Lacy, both of whom seem to have forgotten about standards altogether. His rhythm section is remarkably responsive and empathetic, whether following the leader through out-of-tempo stretches or pouring on the heat. Personally, I would have enjoyed the session more if the leader had switched horns on a couple of the tracks and perhaps employed a bit more "straight ahead" swing (abandoning regular meter proves more of a jolt than altering harmony or even melody). The most satisfying track is Coltrane's "Grand Central Station," a tune that hardly qualifies as a standard in the "Great American Songbook."
All and all, exceptional playing on the parts of both Liebman and Miller (who gets as much solo time as the leader). And the audio on this Italian release is simply first rate, balanced and "true" throughout (what a pleasure not to have to ratchet down another overly boosted bass sound). This is a recording that wears extremely well. ~Samuel C.
"Reinventing" the standard may be more like it. For those listeners who, even in this short-attention-span post-modern age, remember the original melodies (perhaps from listening to Sinatra or Sonny Stitt records), Dave Liebman's revisions should prove both surprising and refreshing. His soprano is somewhere between Kenny G and Steve Lacy, both of whom seem to have forgotten about standards altogether. His rhythm section is remarkably responsive and empathetic, whether following the leader through out-of-tempo stretches or pouring on the heat. Personally, I would have enjoyed the session more if the leader had switched horns on a couple of the tracks and perhaps employed a bit more "straight ahead" swing (abandoning regular meter proves more of a jolt than altering harmony or even melody). The most satisfying track is Coltrane's "Grand Central Station," a tune that hardly qualifies as a standard in the "Great American Songbook."
All and all, exceptional playing on the parts of both Liebman and Miller (who gets as much solo time as the leader). And the audio on this Italian release is simply first rate, balanced and "true" throughout (what a pleasure not to have to ratchet down another overly boosted bass sound). This is a recording that wears extremely well. ~Samuel C.
Setting The Standard
Muchas gracias.
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