Runaway

George Colligan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sunny Side Records
• ASIN: B001CISIEY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,157 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars Kaleidoscopic, January 10, 2009

By 

hanyi ishtouk (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Runaway (Audio CD)

in terms of the stylistic spectrum of 11 originals that ranges from mid-tempo ballad of the easy-listening type 'before you go' (dedicated perhaps to the memory of a loved one), featuring G. Colligan's pianist-singer/songwriter wife Kerry Politzer singing her husband's lyrics, to free improvisation being evinced on 'skeletons in the closet.' The more potent musical statements include hardbop-based offerings, such as an unique and barely recognizable (if at all) rendition of the popular standard 'all the things you are' (track 4), the Metheny-esque 'forlorning' augmented by K. Politzer's wordless voice, followed by the modal excursion on the dark-toned 'ghostland' and a sophisticated waltz in style of the unforgettable Bill Evans and others of his calibre. The undoubtly eventful set is crowned with the spirited performance on the upbeat title song 'runaway,' a clear demonstration of Colligan's full command of and exceptional touch on the keys.
To be honest, we are a bit less impressed with songs like the retro jazz-rock piece 'the righteous' (in vein of Billy Cobham's vibe from the mid-1970s to early '80s) or the lukewarm, slightly Latin-tinged 'be gentle'; both of which have fender rhodes - synths. arrangement coupled with Tom Guarna's -- whose sound and approach remind us to some degree of the lines delivered by his contemporary Steve Cardenas -- contribution on electric and steel-string acoustic guitars (cuts 2-6). The same is true for the rather conventional and cliched swing theme 'innocent youth,' despite the surprise of Colligan's blowing trumpet while allowing his better half to show her trained pianist skills.
With regard to the solid rhythm section, the bandleader has opted this time for drummer Enoch (!) J. Strickland and bassist Josh Ginsburg (solos on tr. 1, 5, 9, 10), a pair that also played on the previous album "Blood Pressure," thereby creating a chemistry conducive to experimenting with relatively novel placements of the beat, etc. running time: 69.08 min.