Herbie Hancock "The New Standard"
Verve: 314 528 584-2 Total Time: 72:06 Retail Price: $30 (Approx.)
At first glance, it appears that Herbie Hancock has succumbed to record
company pressure to record pop tunes on his latest CD, "The New Standard".
Having heard other attempts by jazz artists to "get hip" by playing jazz
versions of pop tunes (which can sound more lacklustre than the
originals), this CD, initially, looks like one to avoid. However, a
cursory listen reveals that Herbie has adopted a very jazz approach to
all these tunes, by reharmonising them, adopting new rhythms and/or
tempos, and by using the tunes purely as a reference point for his
very capable group's improvisations. In short, he has treated these
pop tunes as 'standards'.
The CD's impressive line-up features Herbie Hancock on piano, Michael
Brecker on saxophones, John Scofield, guitar, Dave Holland, bass,
Jack DeJohnette, drums and Don Alias on percussion. All musicians are
more than prepared to tackle this novel collection of 'standards'
which, normally, are associated with artists such as Prince, The
Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Sade, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder and grunge
band "Nirvana". Herbie is brilliant, with some of his best improvising
to date, Michael is imaginative, Holland, DeJohnette and Alias are
solid, yet driving while 'Sco' is both supportive and exploring.
The treatment of Don Henley's collaborative tune 'New York Minute' is
driving from the first beat to the last. 'Mercy Street' by Peter Gabriel
is given a Latin feel, while the Lennon-McCartney classic 'Norwegian
Wood' is treated as a jazz waltz, with overtones of Modal playing.
'When can I See You' is a treated as a reflective, medium tempo tune
and Stevie Wonder's 'You've Got It Bad Girl' becomes a driving riff to
spark some strong soloing. 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride' by Sade becomes
a relaxed, Latin influenced tune, while the traditional tune
'Scarborough Fair', normally associated with Simon and Garfunkel, is
played as a swinging 4/4 tune. Prince's 'Thieves In The Temple' sounds
like a 'down-home' minor key blues featuring Brecker's growling tenor
sax. 'All Apologies' by Kurt Cobain is a duo for piano and electric
sitar, which provides a very Indian sounding drone. The piano solo
'Manhattan (Island of Lights And Love)' is an original by Hancock.
While this may look like highly unlikely material for an excellent album
of jazz, in the hands of these masters you would doubt that these tunes
have ever played in any other manner. In fact, this CD should bear the
warning: "Any similarity between the versions contained on this album
and the originals is purely coinicidental". Highly recommended for any
jazz collection, featuring some of the best acoustic piano from Herbie
in a long while. This CD is available as an import ($US14.50) or locally
through all good CD stores.
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
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Earl Hines : Plays Cole Porter New World Records
80501-2
Earl Hines was a true original and played great jazz music throughout his long life. His enormous influence on jazz piano players doesn't need to be repeated here. What should be said is that for all Hines' musical genius and his deserving place in the Halls Of Fame, the CD reissues of his solo work since the 50s are, at best, only spottily available. New World Records continue to do great service to the Hines legacy with this latest reissue, a fitting companion to their recently released '...Plays Duke Ellington', recorded in the same year as the Porter tribute. This recording presents a memorable session of solo piano meditations on Cole Porter's timeless themes and is Hines' only recording of Cole Porter songs. It was recorded in 1974 when Hines, at the age of 71, was engaged in a spate of solo of solo recording which amounted to 16 LP's released during the year. Hines was playing at aninspired level at this stage and his pianistic powers remained undiminished. The 'Houdini of Jazz', as Leonard Feather affectionately called him, in full and cheerful voice throughout this very enjoyable program, which included a stride-inflected You Do Something To Me, a once-only version of Easy To Love, an initially straight reading of I Get a Kick Out Of You, which is soon transformed into a Hinesian masterpiece, and possibly Porter's greatest hit, Night And Day. Hines is ceaselessly inventive and dazzingly kaleidoscopic. A must for serious jazz fans. Available through New World Records, New York, fax 212 944 1922.
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
Source: JULY/AUG '96 'Jazz Notes'
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Dave Holland Quartet : 'Dream Of The Elders' ECM
1572
It's a well-known fact these days that Dave Holland is one of the most accomplished of jazz musicians to have emerged from the British jazz scene and a major player on the world stage. The bassist only took to the task of leading his own band after many years as a first-call sideman and session-player and, over the past 15 or so years of bandleading activity, has documented a strong series of albums under his own name on ECM. 'Dream Of The Elders' marks Holland's formation of a new quartet and is his first group album since 1989's excellent 'Extensions'[featuring Steve Coleman on alto]. As you'd expect, it's been worth the wait. The band features four open-minded individualists who all share no particular allegiance to any improvisational 'school'. Together with Holland, Eric Person (saxophones), Steve Nelson (vibes and marimba) and Gene Jackson (drums) ground themselves firmly with the leader's compositions and maintain a mature, progressive modern jazz conception wwhere there is plenty of space for personal expression. The pieces resonate with a sense of calm, unfolding unhurriedly and offering a group dialogue suggesting mutual agreement and sympathetic sharing of ideas. It's a warm and reassuring recording and a reminder that musicians need not break new ground to have a persuasive impact.
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
Source: JULY/AUG '96 'Jazz Notes'
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Tim Hopkins "Upon My Camel" ABC Jazz/EMI:7243 8 54460 2 3
Total Time:56:40 Retail Price: $30.00 (Approx)
It's not very often that a jazz track attracts enquiries from radio listeners, but "Upon My Camel" by Sydney saxophonist Tim Hopkins is certainly one that has. The title track's strange mixture of exotic middle-eastern sounds, rap and gutsy 60s style funk proved intriguing enough for many to investigate further when it was played recently during a local radio feature of the ABC 's "Jazzology" sampler.
"Upon My Camel" was recorded in August, 1996 at the ABC studios in conjunction with Jim McLeod's "Jazztrack" programme. Artists listed as being on this recording are Tim Hopkins (tenor, bass clarinet, percussion and rap), Sean Wayland (piano, rhodes), Adam Armstrong (acoustic bass), Hamish Stuart (drums), Scott Leishman (guitars), Fabian Hevia and Nick McBride (percussion), Joe Lane and Lily Dior (vocals), John Napier (cello), Andrew Robson (alto sax) and James Greening (trombone).
'A Change Of Wind', an original by Hopkins, begins with Lily Diors relaxed vocals, but soon warms up as Tim takes a strong solo on tenor. The title track, 'Upon My Camel', mixes middle-eastern market place sounds with rap and moves into some gutsy funk from Tim on tenor, James Greening on trombone and Sean Wayland on rhodes. 'Society Of Nice Guys' is a more straight ahead piece, by Tim, for quartet. What sets Joe "Bebop" Lane's vocal interpretation of Gershwin's 'Summertime' apart from any other version, is that he carefully avoids any note contained in the original melody in this good natured arrangement by Hopkins. Scott Leishman's guitar riff leads the group into the exotic minor sound of 'The Face Of Love' complete with cello doubling the haunting melody played by Tim on tenor. 'Gargoyle' is an interestingly convoluted melody featuring Tim and Scott again with a slightly exotic sound. 'M.e.c.c.a' features Tim on bass clarinet mixing middle-eastern sounds with a loping rhythm. 'Pyramid' is a burning "blow-out" for Tim on Tenor with strong support from the rest of the group.
This is the fourth CD by Tim Hopkins under his own name. It shows the type of artistic maturity that one can expect from a musician who has been fortunate enough to be associated with players of the calibre of Mike Nock. Tim's compositions and playing are of world class and demand more than the modest attention they have received to date. Look out for his earlier CDs as well. They are all excellent value for money showcasing some of Australia's top musicians. Available at all good CD stores.
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
Order it today : Greg's Music World
Ben Hughes: "Premonition"
Independent Release Total Time: 53:21 Retail Price: $25
Adelaide guitarist Ben Hughes has released a very impressive independent
CD that features 9 of his compositions, one of which is co-composed with
his "two guitars" partner Michael Burgess. The 9 tunes display several
facets of Ben's musical personality ranging from reflective guitar pieces
to exuberant funk tunes. Ben is also the producer of this CD which was
recorded at Adelaide's "Agro Fish Studios" between December 1995 and April
1996.
The CD features Ben Hughes on both acoustic and electric guitars,
Mark Simeon Ferguson on piano and keyboards, Tim Bowen,
electric and acoustic bass, Jamie Jones, drums and percussion,
and Peter Raidel on tenor saxophone. The group, consisting of
young local musicians, plays on 5 of the tunes. The other 4 are outlets
for Ben's creative guitar work, some of which is multi-tracked.
Ben's tunes on this CD are:
1) the funky "Foolin'" featuring the full group
2) the reflective "Life" featuring Ben on multi-tracked acoustic guitar
3) the ballad "Fourteen Days" again with the group, but without sax
4) "Bugsy"- another funky tune
5) "Five Years Gone"- another reflective multitracked guitar solo
6) the adventurous title track "Premonition" featuring piano and sax
solos
7) the Spanish influenced co-composition "Picasso's"
8) "By Myself"- begins as a solo guitar piece, but builds as the group
enters
9) the 'Joe Pass' style guitar solo "Hold On To Me" featuring Ben on
electric.
This CD has appeal not only for the jazz fan, but also for lovers of
fine guitar music. The maturity of the compositions and playing makes
it hard to believe that this CD is a first release. I am sure there
will be others to follow. Further details and information on this CD
project are available through "Ben Hughes Home Page"- the internet
address (URL) is http://www.tne.net.au/b.hughes. Available from
Blackwood Sound Centre, B# Records, John Davis Records and New Wave
Music or by contacting Ben Hughes - PO Box 487 Blackwood SA 5051,
or via email, [email protected].
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
Source: 'Adelaide Jazz Scene'
Order it today : Greg's
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