New York City After Hours CD

Review:The Bradshaw's 'Takes Two' A Splendid DebutBy Nan BostickGilroy's Chris and Jack Bradshaw are in trouble now. They've just released 'Takes Two,' their first CD, and it's so terrific, they'll have a heck of time matching their effort on their next CD. Jack's four-hand arrangements totally shine. Their precision playing and double-the-pleasure styling is spot-on. And though they recorded this must-have CD in their home, they involved a nephew for the mixing and mastering. Result -- a studio quality sound that passes my fidelity criteria (and I'm real picky about that). Their beautiful Steinway actually sounds like a beautiful Steinway. The balance between Chris at the lower end and Jack on treble is perfect. Best of all, the two sound as if they're having the time of their life playing each piece. 'Takes Two' is plain fun listening, a CD you'll want to hear over and over. The Bradshaws provide a wonderful variety of styles and tunes, classic rags, of course, and some familiar compositions, but also rarely heard and brand new pieces, all played with great gusto and sensitivity. Several really stand out. For example, after presenting Scott Joplin's 'March Majestic' as written in straight 6/8 tempo, they offer up Jack's ragged 2/4 arrangement of the piece. It's an absolute delight (sounds quite natural that way, too). This is followed by two deliciously interpreted cakewalks, 'Coon Hollow Capers' and 'Possum and Taters,' and next you're sitting up wondering 'Hey, what a cute, Coney Island kind of tune. What is it?' It's 'South Valley Rag,' one of Chris Bradshaw's creations originally penned in 2003 as a violin ensemble for the South Valley Suzuki String Academy of Gilroy. It's a stand out. Right after comes another: 'Gloria,' a 1923 Fred Hager novelty piece. In addition to being a delightful, lilting composition, this is one of several cuts on the CD that have a scintillating music-box flavor with melodies played at mid-range and high treble simultaneously or in counterpoint, all due to Jack's amazing talents as an arranger. Other knockout examples of this unusual music-box feel are their smashing rendition of Luckeyth Roberts 'Music Box' ...