- Angel Feet
- The Alchemist & the Catflap
- English Isobars
- I Remember You
- Bebop Tango
- Francesco’s Rhumba
- Pavanne Tombeau
- Snakes & ladders
- Good Morning Heartache
- Voyage
David Gordon - Piano
Ole Rasmussen - Double Bass
Paul Cavaciuti - Drums
The David Gordon Trio which was formed in
1955 has made several tours of the UK and
Denmark and both Andy Sheppard and Jaqui Dankworth
have guested with them.
The fact that they had played together for
7 years when this record was made is obvious,
they have an amazing empathy and unlike many
musicians, their work as a unit probably exceeds
to some extent the ability of each one. After
all that is what jazz should be about. All
three of the players are excellent musicians,
but it is their collective sound that is so
exciting. The recording quality is also very
good, all three instruments are properly balanced
to take advantage of their collective sound.
The music consists of two standards (tracks
4&9), a Kenny Barron original (track10),
the other tracks being group originals. The
sleeve note makes much of the classical influence
which is present, together with certain Celtic
Sounds, my comment is yes they are there,
but they don’t interfere with the jazz which
is fine, this is a real jazz trio! In my experience
most fusion results in confusion, but not
here, these guys handle it all well and never
fail to swing.
David Gordon plays clean crisp lines and
comps nicely behind the excellent solos that
bassist Ole Rasmussen plays, US based drummer
Paul Cavaciuti is a perfect foil for the other
two, I can’t see how anyone else would do
his job better.
A favourite track? Bebop Tango, the sleeve
note says it is an imaginary meeting between
Bud Powell and the great tango pianist Horacio
Salgan, to me it’s a great piece of jazz composition
and improvisation beautifully played.
I haven’t heard this trio before but I shall
look out for them in future, this is an excellent
record, which I recommend without reservation.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Zah Zah ZZ CD 9819
