Customer Reviews

Good Likeness

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Howard Alden is an excellent guitarist, capable of playing in all different styles. Here with Michael Moore (b) and Alan Dawson (d) he performs standards (NOBODY ELSE BUT ME), modern compositions (Monk's CREPUSCULE WITH NELLIE), and swing era tunes (Bud Freeman's THE EEL'S NEPHEW). Willie "The Lion" Smith's delightful ECHO OF SPRING is the highlight here for me: it's a solo spot for Alden and is done beautifully in medium tempo and is especially good to hear on an instrument other than piano. Strayhorn's SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR also gets a nice treatment. A most enjoyable CD, definitely worth checking out.

There's not much more to say.......except smooth and fluid come to mind. I'm sure those qualities are because of his long association with the late George Van Epps.

Accompanied by an excellent rhythm section, his lyrical phrasing makes lessor played and known tunes things of beauty....as one would expect of a master at the guitar.

Good guitar trio at its lyrical best.