Customer Reviews

Look Stop and Listen: The Music of Tadd Dameron

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Tardo Hammer's latest Sharp Nine CD (recorded in 2007) is an exploration of ten Tadd Dameron compositions. The CD takes its title from track two, "Look, Stop & Listen," which is excellent advice for any propsective buyer. However, the CD could just as well have been named after track four, "Dial B for Beauty." For on every level this is a beautiful CD. You can start with Dameron's flowing and distinctive compositions, which are among the most durable and lovely compositions by any jazz master. But Dameron's compositions are also pure jazz and provide excellent frameworks for inspired improvising.

Tardo Hammer and his supporting musicians, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums are more than up-to-the task of interpreting and improvising memorably on Dameron's music. Hammer is a master pianist, swinging at every tempo and playing with a strong yet sensitive touch which never overwhelms the piano or the listener. Whether stating a theme or in "blowing" choruses, Tadd's piano stylings and his rich harmonic sense are always a delight. The trio meshes together exceptionally well, giving evidence of much familarity with one another and with the music at hand. Joe Farnsworth in particular proves his worth as a masterfully swinging and sensitive straight-ahead dummer.

The aforementioned tracks are outstanding, but in truth, every track here is outstanding, including lesser-known Dameron compositions such as "Focus", "Smooth As the Wind", "Super Jet" and "Floosie Lou". No Dameron program is complete without "If You Could See Me Now" and Hammer gives it a wonderful ballad reading.

Besides the outstanding music on "Look, Stop and Listen," a word must be said about the beautiful sound and perfect mix of this CD. The piano sound is absolutely gorgeous, and that alone will have the listener giving this CD many spins.

Tardo Hammer is one of the most authentic and fluent bebop pianists in jazz today. His Sharp Nine CD's show a consistent pattern of deepening musical expression, and this beautiful CD may well be his best yet. "Look, Stop & Listen" is highly recommended.

This album contains what is arguably the best recent recording of the much-recorded "If You Could See Me Now" and on that basis alone is a great reason to own this CD. Also, the music has a very period-authentic feel, engendered by the chosen voicings. I have been collecting Dameron "tribute" recordings for many years and this qualifies as the best or second-best. This is a thoughtful creation and a worthy appreciation of the composer.

A superb bebop piano trio recording led by Tardo Hammer and his fabulous rhythm section. Hammer is kind of like a modern day Barry Harris in his prime, which is not to say his playing isn't wonderfully fresh and cliche free. Wonderful Tadd Dameron compositions, and state of the art recording from Systems Two in Brooklyn, probably the leading studio for small group dates, make this CD a real winner.