Steve Swallow L'Histoire Du Clochard: The Bum's Tale CD

Bassist Steve Swallow is better known as a sideman than a leader, though his work as a composer may be his greatest hidden asset. Long acknowledged as one of the top electric bassists in jazz, a number of his pieces have been recorded with collaborators such as Gary Burton and Carla Bley. But this sextet, jointly led with tenor saxophonist Ohad Talmor, finds new possibilities within these songs, none of which have been widely recorded. The chamber jazz sextet assembled also includes trumpeter Russ Johnson, violinist Meg Okura, clarinetist Greg Tardy and trombonist Jacob Garchick; throughout the session, the musicians rise to the challenges of the demanding charts. Talmor's arrangements are playful and full of the spirit of adventure. "Making Ends Meet" serves as a graceful introduction, though it quickly grows complex, with a particularly spirited solo by Tardy. Talmor hints at Igor Stravinsky's introduction to The Rites of Spring in his opening solo to the haunting "Sweeping Up," with Swallow exploring the upper range of his instrument. Garchick comes to the forefront in the intricate scoring of "Chelsea Bells." The low-key arrangement of "Some Echoes" creates a bittersweet, somewhat mournful mood. The last three songs are some of Swallow's most recognized works, since all of them date from his years of working with Gary Burton. "Ladies in Mercedes" is no longer a straightforward jaunt down the highway but a musical trip with many detours into playful neighborhoods. The tenor saxophonist opens "Hullo Bolinas" unaccompanied, yet as the band joins him, the piece has only a passing resemblance to its original conception. "I'm Your Pal" is turned topsy-turvy, while adding fine solos by Swallow, Talmor and Johnson. Longtime fans of Steve Swallow will be delighted with this fresh look at his still underappreciated work as a composer. ~ Ken Dryden

Photographer: Jimmy Katz.

Arranger: Ohad Talmor.

Personnel: Steve Swallow (bass guitar); Russel Johnson (trumpet, flugelhorn); Russ Johnson (trumpet); Meg Okura (violin); Greg Tardy (clarinet); Ohad Talmor (tenor saxophone); Jacob Garchik (trombone).

Recording information: Maggie's Farm, Buck's County, PA (08/23/2002).

Down Beat (p.71) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[Talmor] does a fine job in accenting the mood swings implicit in tunes..."