Customer Reviews

When the Heart Dances (Dig)

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Another heavy release from long-time Kurt Elling collaborator, pianist Laurence Hobgood, in duets with legendary bassist Charlie Haden, with Kurtish cameos. This disc will be a joy for anyone who has heard Laurence play - his trademark style is very much in evidence - sonorous standards, swashbuckling fast playing, comic interludes (check out the inebriated intro to New Orleans), and the sheer ability to make any piano resonate. The CD has a mixture of standards and originals. Some of the standards are priceless - a profound and Chopinesque version of Daydream dueting with Kurt, a measured tribute to Stairway to the Stars, and a langorous Cost of Living (written by the late Don Grolnick). But my real favorites on the disc are Laurence's tunes - the title track When the Heart Dances, Leatherwood, and Sanctuary. On these tunes, Laurence explores shifting harmonies with a modern sense of fluid adventure in his writing and his playing. Baroque passages remind you of early Chic Corea (children's songs) and quieter passages remind you of Satie. If you want to hear a contemporary master, check this out and his earlier trio records too.

Why Hobgood isn't better known not only among jazz aficionados, but also by the public at large, is a mystery to me. This CD is a sublime example of what great jazz can do. Here are contemplative pieces, as inward and provocative as prayers, and explosive tunes that make the heart dance, if not literally soar. There are harmonies to tantalize the ear, and yet nothing is ever so academic or abstract as to be inaccessible. Anyone can listen to and will enjoy this beautiful music; Hobgood is a storyteller first and foremost, interested in taking you, the listener, on a journey. The record also bears repeated listening--like the best art, each spin will reveal more to you, reflecting your own state of mind and making you wonder how it is that Hobgood has managed to capture so much in such a skillful and nimble fashion in one recording session. Then again, this is what great artists do, and there is no question that Hobgood--and his recording partner Charlie Haden--know all about making great art.

Laurence is best known as the musical director/collaborator with Kurt Elling. In fact Kurt joins Laurence on this wonderful album for a few songs. Laurence is probably one of the best pianists you've never heard much about. His talents as writer and performer are wonderfully displayed on this collection of songs that are stripped to their barest form to allow the instrument and perfomer to shine. This is the kind of performance you just carve out the time to sit back and listen to, forget about your worries and become completely absorbed in the beauty of the music. I have listened now multiple times and each time find something new to marvel about. I highly recommend you buy this and enjoy and savor every note.

OK, so comparisons are unfair. But this is one of those records that gives greater rewards the more you listen to it. Despite all his sterling work during 15 years for Kurt Elling, Hobgood continues to be largely ignored as a leader, and his records come and go with very little critical or public commentary. This is unfortunate for his mastery has long been evident and his is that rare talent of being able to surprise even in relatively conventional settings.

Sadly (and I am an Elling fan), the worst tracks on an otherwise fantastic album are the ones with Elling himself, who sounds flat and unconnected to the music - it appears his vocals were recorded later (?). The rest is profound, lyrical, tender, tough jazz music from an unrecognised master and a ubiquitous old hand. If you're looking for great piano-bass jazz, look no further; get this and not the predictably hyped Jarrett-Haden "Jasmine". 5 stars in spite of the Elling tracks.

I had never heard of Laurence Hobgood prior to hearing his version of the song "The Cost Of Living" on a Newark, NJ jazz radio station. The song took me to another place, and I was captivated by Hobgood's playing and immediately picked up this CD. I wasn't disappointed after hearing the whole disc: Hobgood's inspired playing is beautiful throughout the album. I have become a fan of Charlie Haden's duet work with pianists over the years after hearing the duet CD's he has recorded with Keith Jarrett and Hank Jones. His playing on this album is no different than in his playing I've heard with pianists in the past; he is an empathetic and lyrical player. I was not as big a fan of the songs on "When The Heart Dances" which featured the vocals of Kurt Elling. I would have preferred an all instrumental album, but Elling only sings on three of the songs on this disc. Hobgood also included two solo piano pieces, "Sanctuary" and "Leatherwood", which showcase his gorgeous playing. I have played this CD countless times and have found that this is a disc I will put on and end up leaving in the player for days at a time. If you are looking for an excellent jazz piano CD this album is highly recommended, and as a new fan of Laurence Hobgood I will be sure to look for releases in the future.