Harold Mabern Trio - Lookin' on the Bright Side

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:57
Size: 116,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:35)  1. Look on the Bright Side
(5:22)  2. Moment's Notice
(8:01)  3. Big Time Cooper
(6:10)  4. Au Privave
(5:09)  5. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
(9:21)  6. It's a Lonesome Old Town
(6:54)  7. Too Late Fall Back Baby
(4:23)  8. Our Waltz

Harold Mabern was nearing his 57th birthday around the time of the two 1993 studio sessions that provided the music for this Japanese release; he's clearly in a mood to celebrate, as the CD begins with a driving hard bop original, "Look on the Bright Side," powered by his aggressive risk-taking playing and fueled by a lower key solo by young bassist Christian McBride and a series of powerful drum breaks by seasoned veteran Jack DeJohnette. Although Mabern's arrangement of John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice" is enjoyable, it is because the rhythm simulates a jaunty stroll while the leader unleashes some pyrotechnics. Likewise, Charlie Parker's "Au Privave" is never rushed, but executed with finesse. The musicians have fun disguising the introduction to "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," a piece that can turn saccharine in the wrong hands, but their lively interplay in a brisk setting makes it work. 

"It's a Lonesome Old Town," a piece long forgotten by most players, has a thunderous introduction, but Mabern reverts to its melancholy nature in the subdued body of the piece, though he can't resist tossing in a little of his lightening runs and heavy tremolos. He also plays two originals, including his gospel-flavored "Too Late Fall Back Baby" and the strutting "Big Time Cooper," named for a diminutive (five-foot four-inches) pianist Mabern admired years earlier in Chicago. Highly recommended for hard bop fans. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/lookin-on-the-bright-side-mw0000215122

Personnel:   Harold Mabern - piano, composer;  Christian McBride - bass;  Jack DeJohnette - drums

Lookin' on the Bright Side

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