John Pizzarelli – John Pizzarelli Trio: Live At Birdland (2xSACD) (2003) [SACD / Telarc – 2SACD-63577]

Title: John Pizzarelli – John Pizzarelli Trio: Live At Birdland (2xSACD) (2003)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This is a wonderful, warm-hearted, and effortlessly virtuosic live recording by one of the finest living exponents of pre-bop small-ensemble jazz. With pianist Ray Kennedy and bassist Martin Pizzarelli (and on two songs joined by vocalist Grover Kemble), singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli runs through a generally lightweight but thoroughly charming set of standards, homages, funny stories, and the occasional original tune; the fast tunes are light and frothy, the ballads smooth and gentle, and even the moments that are less than utterly inspired work together with the album’s highlights to create a very satisfying whole. John Pizzarelli has a suit sponsor, which tells you something about what to expect of him as a singer: his voice is smooth and warm, offering a nice combination of Chet Baker’s timbre and Dean Martin’s fullness; as a guitarist you need to know that he favors seven-string guitars and flat-wound strings, leading him naturally to a swinging Django Reinhardt-meets-Freddie Green kind of sound. As for the trio’s instrumentation, it’s true that when you can comp with this kind of authority you don’t technically need a drummer. But on a few tracks a drummer would have filled out the band’s sound nicely. Highlights include the group’s fun, slightly greasy take on “Frim Fram Sauce” and a great ode to Art Tatum called “Tea for Tatum,” as well as a fine original blues composition titled “Headed Out to Vera’s.” Pizzarelli’s own “Oh, How My Heart Beats for You” and “Day I Found You” are also wonderful. But the album’s standout track is a limpidly gorgeous rendition of another original, “Better Run Before It’s Spring.” Pizzarelli is obviously having a blast in the intimate setting of the legendary Birdland club, and so will any jazz lover who takes the time to listen. Very highly recommended.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

Tracklist:

Disc 1
01. Introduction
02. Just You, Just Me
03. The Frim Fram Sauce
04. This Song Is You
05. Isn’t It A Pity
06. Rhode Island Intro
07. Rhode Island
08. Ray Kennedy – Library of Congress Story
09. Gospel Truth
10. Ray Kennedy – Dizzy Gillespie Story
11. Tea For Tatum
12. James Taylor Intro 1
13. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
14. James Taylor Intro 2
15. Mean Old Man
16. Manhattan
17. Rosemary Clooney Story
18. Moonlight Becomes You
19. Final Intro
20. Will You Still Be Mine?

Disc 2
01. Introduction
02. Three Little Words
03. They Can’t That Away From Me
04. Oh How My Heart Beats For You
05. The Day I Found You
06. Polliwog Story
07. It’s Only A Paper Moon
08. Stompin At The Savoy
09. Better Run Before It’s Spring
10. Grover Kemble Story
11. Headed Out To Vera’s
12. Baby Medley
13. I Like Jersey Best Intro
14. I Like Jersey Best
15. My Castle’s Rockin’
16. Baby Just Come Home To Me

Personnel:

John Pizzarelli – guitar and vocals
Ray Kennedy – piano
Martin Pizzarelli – bass

Note:

Recorded at Birdland, New York – September 25-28, 2002.

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