Time: 64:14
Size: 147.0 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1992
Art: Front
[8:16] 1. Harlem Nocturne
[4:21] 2. The View From Here
[6:35] 3. Give Me The Simple Life
[5:15] 4. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
[6:45] 5. When You Look Into Your Eyes
[4:10] 6. Welcome To My World
[4:18] 7. Come Sunday
[4:44] 8. I'm Old Fashioned
[5:53] 9. Your Name Is Love
[5:10] 10. Brownie's Eyes
[3:55] 11. Raintree
[4:46] 12. Love Wise
This James Williams-produced date actually features each of the three Memphis pianists separately with bassist Ray Drummond and the late drummer Alan Dawson (on one of his last recordings) in an all-ballad CD. Brown starts off with a funky "Harlem Nocturne" followed by his melancholy original "The View From Here." Charles Thomas is a veteran who hasn't ventured into the studio much but is highly respected by his peers. He offers a lyrical take of "When You Look Into Your Eyes," a full-bodied gospel-flavored arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," and a richly textured "I'm Old Fashioned."
Mabern is the big surprise with his choice of four lesser known songs; his waltzing take of "Your Name Is Love," the bright version of Quincy Jones' "Brownie's Eyes," and his exuberant playing on "Raintree" show his willingness to take chances. It's too bad there wasn't time or room for producer Williams to take his turn at the piano, too; maybe next time. ~Ken Dryden
Mabern is the big surprise with his choice of four lesser known songs; his waltzing take of "Your Name Is Love," the bright version of Quincy Jones' "Brownie's Eyes," and his exuberant playing on "Raintree" show his willingness to take chances. It's too bad there wasn't time or room for producer Williams to take his turn at the piano, too; maybe next time. ~Ken Dryden
A Season Of Ballads