Just Imagine

Reviewed: 2019-12-22
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: This disc is pianist Dave Miller’s tribute to the late George Shearing, whom he credits for his interest in bebop. As an improviser, Miller is ingenious without trying too hard to be outré. His solos all have an inner logic to them. His method of keeping the performances short works in his favor; he does not overstay his welcome in any of these tracks, but says what he wants to and gets out.
If You Like: Fats Waller, Earl Hines,
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
**1/ One For The Woofer (4:01) – piano starts> rocking uptempo boogie-woogie jam> piano solo> uptempo jam with drum fills> crescendo end
*2/ You Took Advantage of Me (3:38) – bass starts> midtempo jam> jaunty piano solo> midtempo jam> quick stop
**3/ The Bebop Irishman (3:11) – piano starts> fast tempo jam> piano solo> fast jam with drum fills> piano solo> fast jam> pause> crescendo end
*4/ I’d Love To Make Love To You (4:09) – bass starts> strolling midtempo jam> piano solo> bass solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
5/ Bittersweet (4:22) – piano starts> midtempo jam> swinging piano solo swings uptempo> uptempo jam> quick stop
*6/ A Foggy Day (4:04) – piano starts> slow tempo jam builds to midtempo> piano solo> midtempo jam> quick stop
7/ A Beautiful Friendship (3:14) – piano starts> midtempo jam> piano solo> bass solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
***8/ Confirmation (4:14) – piano starts> fast tempo jam> piano solo> fast jam> fast jam with drum fills> pause> crescendo end
*9/ You Must Believe In Spring (5:33) – piano starts> slow tempo jam> piano solo> slow jam> bass solo> slow jam> slow fade
*10/ This Time The Dream’s On Me (4:39) – piano starts> jaunty midtempo jam> piano solo> bass solo> midtempo jam> quick stop
**11/ Careful (3:22) – piano starts> uptempo jam swings to fast tempo> drum solo> uptempo jam> quick stop
12/ A Time For Love (2:38) – piano starts> slow tempo jambuilds to midtempo> slow fade
13/ All My Tomorrows (4:02) – piano starts> jaunty midtempo jam> piano solo> bass solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
*14/ Just Imagine (4:48) – slow piano solo builds to midtempo & slows again> quick fade