In Paris

Reviewed: 2018-03-02
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Throughout this concert, the elements of Montgomery’s creative process are familiar: the long strands of definitive single notes followed by his signature octaves; the calls and responses within his own solos; the riveting block chords. But he is in a special zone of fervor on this night. His octaves become engines of overwhelming momentum. Mabern is also a surprise. He is the only player here who is still living, a respected elder statesman of mainstream postbop piano. In Paris proves that when he was 29 he was a monster. Johnny Griffith sits in on sax on tracks 7-9.
If You Like: Kenny Burrell, Tal Farlow, Wynton Kelly
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Four On Six (6:35) – bass starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> piano solo> uptempo jam> bass solo> fade
**2/ Impressions (10:03) – bass/piano starts> uptempo jam> sizzling guitar solo> fast jam> piano solo> fast jam> crescendo end>
3/ The Girl Next Door (8:44) – guitar starts> slow jam> fade & crescendo end
4/ Here’s That rainy Day (8:31) – guitar starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo swings uptempo> umtempo jam> piano solo> uptempo jam mellows> slow fade
*5/ Jingles (12:34) – guitar starts> fast jam> guitar solo> fast jam> piano solo> fast jam with drum fills> fast jam> quick fade

(DISC 2)
*6/ To Wane (11:09) – piano starts fast> fast jam> lightning fast guitar solo> fast jam> piano solo> fast jam> quick fade
7/ Full House (10:48) – sax starts> midtempo jam> guitar solo> sax solo> subdued midtempo jam slows to fade
*8/ ‘Round Midnight (9:26) – piano starts> slow jam> sax solo> guitar solo> slow jam> crescendo end
*9/ Blue ‘N Boogie/ West Coast Blues (13:14) – guitar/quartet starts> uptempo jam> guitar solo> uptempo jam> sax solo> short fast jam> crescendo end
*10/ Twisted Blues (13:43) - piano/guitar starts> midtempo jam swings uptempo> piano solo> bass solo> uptempo jam> crescendo end