Alan Barnes & Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra: Yeah! - COMPACT DISCS

Alan Barnes & Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra: Yeah! - COMPACT DISCSTitle: Yeah! Artist: Alan Barnes & Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra Label: Proper Product Type: COMPACT DISCS UPC: 805520070027 Genre: Rock Release Date: 2005 08 30 Number of Discs: 1 Additional Details: UNITED KINGDOM IMPORT Here Barnes pays tribute to hard bop pianist composer Horace Silver. Pianist John Donaldson has transcribed all the pieces, which are mainly taken from the classic Blue Note quintet recordings of the early 60s. Donaldson's

Title: Yeah!
Artist: Alan Barnes & Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra
Label: Proper
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 805520070027
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 2005-08-30
Number of Discs: 1
Additional Details: UNITED KINGDOM - IMPORT

Here Barnes pays tribute to hard bop pianist/composer Horace Silver. Pianist John Donaldson has transcribed all the pieces, which are mainly taken from the classic Blue Note quintet recordings of the early 60s. Donaldson's crisply funky playing is a neat fit with Silver's soulful, airy tunes, but his occasional Tyner-esque splashes take the energy level up a notch. Trumpeter Steve Waterman (an eclectic, technically assured player) takes the Blue Mitchell role with relish. Fat-toned, precise and fiery, he's a perfect foil for the leader. While there are only two ballads here, they provide Barnes' best moments. Donaldson's lucid, Bill Evans-esque chording inspires a sweetly poignant reading of "Lonely Woman", while the opening of "Peace" features a meltingly gorgeous statement on alto, accompanied only by Dave Green's ever thoughtful bass. One of my favourite musical moments of the year so far, I reckon. Not that the uptempo numbers are in any way shabby; the band kick up some serious dust at times and of course Barnes enjoys working at speed - check the furious solo on "Finger Poppin'" for details. This is assured, beautifully played jazz. It won't change the world, perhaps, but who cares.

Tracks:
1.1 Yeah!
1.2 Tokyo Blues
1.3 Baghdad Blues
1.4 Lonely Woman
1.5 Cape Verdean Blues
1.6 Opus de Funk
1.7 Horacescope
1.8 Peace
1.9 Juicy Lucy
1.10 Senor Blues
1.11 Fingerpoppin'