| | Don Friedman My Favorite Things CD Don Friedman Discography of CDs
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Don Friedman, who has recorded quite a few dates as a leader, as well as being an in-demand sideman, is joined by two other top-notch veterans, bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash, for this 2003 studio date. One of the biggest challenges for a jazz musician is to find new approaches to the most frequently played standards, something the trio seems to do effortlessly. A good starting point is the opening track, a stunning rendition of "My Favorite Things." Rather than follow the mantra set by John Coltrane in the early '60s, Friedman doesn't postpone the release of the theme nor does he play it in a modal setting. Instead, his re-voices it with lush chord substitutions, while never losing touch with it. "Easy to Love" is recast as a lively samba, while "Never Let Me Go," forever associated with the late Bill Evans' memorable solo recording for Verve, is spaciously arranged, allowing breathing room for Mraz's intricate bassline and Nash's complementary brushwork. Friedman devours Coltrane's "Giant Steps" whole with a driving interpretation, while his jaunty take of Thelonious Monk's "Ask Me Now" is every bit as playful as the composer's recordings. The pianist also includes three originals: the catchy call-and-response blues "Schmooze Blooze," the lightning hard bop line "Half and Half" (a great feature for Nash), and the lovely ballad finale "Summer's End." Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden
Don Friedman: Don Friedman; George Mraz (double bass); Lewis Nash.
Personnel: Don Friedman (piano); Lewis Nash (drums).
Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY (10/13/2003).
Photographer: John Abbott . Don Friedman My Favorite Things Songs My Favorite Things Review
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Buy My Favorite Things CD Purchase My Favorite Things CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Don Friedman Waltz For Debby CD (2003)
My Favorite Things album
 $15.69  
This trio date led by Don Friedman is comparable to a typical Bill Evans session in several ways. Joined by bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash, one hears three strong musicians interacting rather than a rhythm section playing follow-the-leader with the pianist. Secondly, Friedman, like Evans, loves playing great melodies. Finally, Friedman is a gifted composer, though his pieces are obviously not as well known as Evans' works. But the comparison ends there, as Friedman has a distinctive style of his own. The title track is obviously Evans' best-known composition, though Friedman's interpretation of it is more aggressive and features a melodic solo by Mraz as well. Friedman's lyrical side is readily apparent in his warm rendition of Michel Legrand's bittersweet ballad "You Must Believe in Spring." The pianist is at his most adventurous skirting around the theme to Johnny Mandel's lovely "The ...
| | Bill Charlap Somewhere: The Songs Of Leonard Bernstein CD (2004)
My Favorite Things CD music
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Composer songbook albums performed by jazz instrumentalists are nothing new, but pianist Bill Charlap's takes on the exuberant and tender tunes of Leonard Bernstein make for an inspired addition to this tradition. From the opening trill on drummer Kenny Washington's hi-hat, "Cool" (from WEST SIDE STORY) kicks off the proceedings, crackling with excitement. The entire track is superb, and makes one wonder why this song has not become a standard.
The performers stretch out, listening intently to one another and coming up with a fine mini-opus on "Glitter and Be Gay" (from CANDIDE), a tune that ...
| | David Hazeltine Modern Standards CD (2005)
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On this set, pianist David Hazeltine performs songs from the 1960s and '70s. While "Witchcraft," "Who Can I Turn To," "Moment to Moment," "A Time for Love," and "Somewhere" (along with, to a lesser extent, "A House Is Not a ...
| | Bill Charlap Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul CD (2005)
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Acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap stays in songbook mode for PLAYS GEORGE ...
| | Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane - At Carnegie Hall CD (2005)
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| | Kenny Barron Perfect Set: Live At Bradley's 2 CD (2005)
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| | Abdullah Ibrahim Desert Flowers CD (1991)
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| | Katell Keineg O Seasons O Castles CD (1994)
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| | Yoshiko Kishino Fairy Tale CD (1995) Japan
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| | Adams, Brook & His Swingin Marmalukeys Cowboy Gypsy Party Music CD (2007)
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| | Django Reinhardt Collection CD (2007) (Import)
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| | Dee Daniels Jazzinit CD (2007)
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Dee Daniels is a good jazz singer known primarily for songbook performances. Here, she delves into a large mix of songs from the jazz realm as well as the pop, rock, and R&B realms. With an able-bodied band behind her, she puts something of a jazz spin onto each song in turn, moving from Earth, Wind & Fire to Stevie Wonder, to the Doobies and James Taylor. With such a mixed bag of source material, and her own admitted influences from R&B, blues, and gospel, it's perhaps not surprising that the results are mixed as well. More often than not, her gospel side comes out and alternately raises and batters the underlying songs. Her jazz form can go the melodramatic route easily, with the strain in her voice becoming apparent as she goes. It's when she's in her more original elements that the power really comes out. Converting Lionel Richie's "Hello" to a jazz ballad comes across particularly sappy and overdone. Right after that however, James Taylor's "Fire & Rain" is given a bluesy overhaul that both makes it intriguing and makes it roll at the same time. A rendition of Otis Redding's (and Aretha's) "Respect" comes out too slowly to hold its old power, but that same slowed-down bluesy ...
| | Paititi CD (2008) (Import) Import
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