Ahmad Jamal Trio - Live in Paris
Original Release Date: April 3, 1992
Time: 56:11
Size: 136 mb
Label: Dreyfus
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Ahmad Jamal's style has become more extroverted and virtuosic since his early days in the 1950s, and his performances with his trio are often more dramatic. However the pianist is still a master at using space and dynamics, interacting closely with his sidemen, and creating music that builds slowly in intensity. His Paris concert from 1992 is an excellent example of his more recent work. Jamal, who takes "Easy Living" and a relatively brief "Look for the Silver Lining" as unaccompanied solo features and plays quite melodically on Erroll Garner's "Dreamy" (the only piece on which he utilizes bassist Todd Coolman and drummer Gordon Lane), otherwise leads one of his finest trios. Bassist James Cammach (an underrated master) and drummer David Bowler listen to Jamal very closely and, even on a complicated medley of "Alone Together," "Laura" and "Wild Is the Wind," they do not miss a cue. Recommended. - AMG
Ahmad Jamal doesn't believe he's got chops....even now almost 50 years after he first hit the scene with his marvelous drummerless trios of the 50s, Jamal still believes he's a poor piano player. Good thing none of the rest of us believe him!
In the 1950s Jamal was famous for his initial piano trios which featured bass and guitar rather than drums. His concept was fresh and original, featuring lots of open space and understated grooves. Sometimes considered cocktail music by the critics, musicians knew better. In fact, Miles Davis, a musician never known to give much credit to others, credited Jamal as the inspiration of Miles' first classic style with the 1950s quintets and sextets. As the years have gone on, Jamal's style has changed. Though space has always remained a feature, his technique has become more sure and his pianistic textures much more adventurous.
Live in Paris is a document from a live concert at La Salle de Spectacles de Colombes in 1992. Most of the disc features a trio of James Cammack on fretless bass and David Bowler on drums, except for the track Dreamy which features a different rhythm section. The music is impeccably arranged as is common for all of Jamal's trio work. The presence of the fretless bass allows for a contemporary funky edge to the sound and pieces like the Tube and Caravan end up with heavy grooves in unusual meters. Jamal is amazing on the disc, from funky modal solos over one chord vamps to lush romantic piano harmony, he shows himself a master of the instrument. This is a disc to make the rest of us who play jazz piano want to go home and slit our wrists. Jamal's technique, artistry and feel for the idiom and instrument are unsurpassed.
This is amoung the pianist's great discs along with the classics from the 50's like Poinciana. If you don't know Ahmad, get to know him PDQ. This disc is a marvelous place to start. ~ Chris Forbes
Ahmad Jahmal is one these artists whose capacity of evoking reminds us to tat expressive piano poet, Thelonius Monk. And I think this comparison is not exaggerate. Jahmal ' s phrasing is a true invitation to make journey into the deepest roots about precisely jazz term means. He possesses that joy of living touch, an incredible display of color, an exuberant range of melodic vein that has deserved him the most eulogizing epithets.
This album "Live in Paris" talks by itself. Go for this rewarding album in which you will find all the vivid imagination and evocative mood of a sincere artist. ~ Hiram Pardo
Personnel:
Ahmad Jamal, piano
James Cammack, bass
Todd Coolman, acoustic bass
Gordon Lane, drums
David Bowler, drums
Ahmad Jamal Trio - Live in Paris tracks:
01 The Tube
02 Alone Together / Laura / Wild Is The Wind
03 Caravan
04 Easy Living
05 Acorn
06 Dreamy
07 Appreciation
08 Look For The Silver Lining
09 The Aftermath
