Customer Reviews

Nights at the Vanguard

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This recording of his 1988 LP Nights at the Vanguard includes previously unreleased songs including Mark One, More Than You Know, and I'll Keep Loving You. Accompanying Flanagan is bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster. You'll hear Flanagan at his lyrical best, stringing together soft and mellifluous phrases through these tunes. Cued to precision, Flanagan's interaction with Mraz and Foster grasp the pathos of Flanagan's arrangements which distinguishes his style from others. Flanagan at his best.

As all committed jazz enthusiasts know, Tommy Flanagan's tastefulness on piano; George Mraz's strength and certainty on bass; and Al Foster's sheer verve on drums make for a great trio. As the venue for this live performance, the Village Vanguard brings out their best-making this a stupendous example of trio interplay at the highest level.

The most fascinating aspect of the CD for me, and the thing that contributes most to its beauty, is that Flanagan has raised the profile of Thad Jones with gorgeous renditions of his songs, which are unfortunately rarely heard. Examples are A Bitty Ditty, and especially Like Old Times. Through these renditions, Flanagan is giving subtle and brotherly homage to his friend(who like his brothers Hank Jones, Elvin Jones,-and Flanagan himself-all cut their musical teeth in Detroit.)

Hint: Any CD recorded live at the Village Vanguard is well worth having.
Tommy Flanagan's work here gives strong foundation to that statement.