Customer Reviews

This Side Up

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

 

 

If you have never heard her live, either solo or with her trio, you are missing an incredible event. While she has her own unique, very creative and melodic stylings they are all wrapped deep in her knowledge of the music of the masters, Ellington, Miles, etc. This Side Up is (I think) the third CD for the Max Jazz "Piano Series" and her first for this label after recording much on her own label. The Max Jazz releases are all immaculately produced and photographed, with Jimmy Katz's great black and white photos. If you like (for example) Keith Jarrett's standards trio and Bill Evans you will enjoy this CD very much.

When I first heard this recording in a record store with great headphones I forgot my surroundings. I sat with my eyes closed, lost in the sublime mix of tempo, rhytm and subtleties, only to be surprised now and then by a funky sound which was never overdone. There are so many incredibly beautiful numbers on this CD , from the lyrical "Blue Tuesday" to the serious Serenata, that I suggest you buy this CD, sit down and listen. Really listen, as to a classical piece. This stuff is not for easy jazz lovers. This is serious jazz and it is wonderful.

This Side Up is the predecessor to the outstanding Live at Yoshi's volumes. While the solo Williams is an inner meditative explorer, she swings outside in trio mode, here with Ray Drummond, bass, and Victor Lewis, drums. As in all well-matched trios, there is synergy and good interplay. Little Bird Song and especially the Theme for the Eulipians are the highlights of the album for me. Obliged to compare this recording with the Grammy-nominated albums that followed, I awarded it 4 stars. The song selection, which I found uninteresting, is also a factor. Overall, I felt that in this album the trio was making adjustments, ironing out the kinks. It is a fine album, surely, but consistency is lacking; it lacks spark. The trio will ignite when they travel to Yoshi's and record before an audience.

This is an excellent album. Williams is a gifted pianist but also, as appears on this CD, a great jazz composer. Most of the numbers are her own compositions, but to me they sound as if they've been here as jazz standards for ages. This is great music excellently played.

I bought this cd for the "Elupian" track, but found the entire cd to be superior. Thanks to the Internet for my discovering this artist.