Customer Reviews

Live at Smalls

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Here you have the stellar Seamus Blake Quintet putting in "another day at the office", the office being the legendary Smalls Nightclub. This album is part of a larger series of live albums recorded live at Smalls issued on the Smalls record label. The idea behind these releases is to give the listener a sonic experience just like you were sitting at a table in the club. With that said this album is very satisfying. The sound quality is very live just like you were in the room but at the same time very clear & warm. The band is a top shelf ensemble that is very familiar with Seamus & his music. This is exactly the same lineup used on Blake's last album for Criss Cross Bellwether. On piano is the soulful David Kikowski, David turns in muscular soloing & thoughtful comping throughout. Lage Lund on guitar, one of my personal favorites is also one of Seamus's favorite guitarists, playing on Blakes last two albums. Matt Cholesky on bass has been working alongside Blake on record since last years Bellwether. Matt provides solid support & a nice clear bass tone, alongside drummer Bill Stewart who has been recording with Blake since the early 1990s appearing on Seamus's first album for the Criss Cross jazz label The Call. The set starts off with the blazing Blake original Subterfuge driven on by Lund's muscular vamp & Stewart's swinging grooves,(this tune is at the moment my favorite). I'm not going to do a track by track review because I'd like for you to listen for yourself. I'll close by saying if you enjoyed Seamus Blakes last two albums Way Out Willy & Bellwether you should go ahead & pick this album up. It features a stellar ensemble that shares a strong hookup with Blake couple that with the great live energy that's created playing music before an audience an there you have it, Seamus Blake Quintet Live at Smalls. Enjoy!