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On the day this lovely recording was released,
co-leaders Clark Terry (trumpet) and Max Roach
(drums), legends both, were 82 and 79 years old
respectively. Perhaps it would be best to get the
clichés out of the way. Yes, it’s important that elder
statesmen of jazz keep recording, and no one deserves that title
more than these gentlemen. And it’s also great that the
"old" guys have still “got it,” as they both most
assuredly do. But what about the music?
Friendship is a recording of fresh, swinging music
with broad but intelligent appeal to committed Terry or Roach fans as well as new listeners just
coming to an
appreciation of these great musicians. Clark Terry demonstrates the
flawless technique, buttery sound, and elegant,
good-natured, witty improvisation for which he is
famous. Roach offers, as always, a powerful
conception of the drums, using a wide and creative
sound palette. His approach on this recording is so
unassuming that it is easy to lose sight of how
complete his playing is in itself. “Lil’ Max,” for example, is a
musical whole. It takes a bit of attention to realize that
it is also an unaccompanied drum solo.
Both Don Friedman (piano) and the
inexplicably under-recognized Marcus McLaurine
(bass) have long been associated with Terry. Everyone
sounds comfortable with themselves, each other, and
the straightforward, but demanding quartet setting.
Friendship also has an eclectic side. The album
begins with “Statements,” a free jazz duet between the
co-leaders. The set includes Monk’s “Let’s Cool One” and the standards “But Beautiful,”
"When I Fall in Love,” “Makin’ Whoopee,” “The
Nearness of You,” and “I Remember Clifford.”
By continuing to perform at this level, Terry and
Roach, who for decades have had nothing to prove to
anyone, not only enrich us musically yet again--they
also teach important lessons about artistic integrity.
We are lucky to have their example.
This review originally appeared in the July 2003 issue of
All About Jazz - New York.
~ Steven Robinson
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Track Listing: 1. Statements - 1:47
2. Let's Cool One - 6:35
3. Brushes and Brass - 1:44
4. Simple Waltz - 3:10
5. I Remember Clifford - 2:26
6. Lil Max - 3:37
7. But Beautiful - 6:28
8. The Profit - 2:20
9. When I Fall in Love - 2:07
10. For Dancers Only - 3:13
11. Makin' Whoopee - 8:14
12. To Basie With Love - 1:51
13. The Nearness of You - 2:24
Personnel: Don Friedman - Piano,
Max Roach - Drums,
Clark Terry - Trumpet, Flugelhorn,
Marcus McLaurine - Bass.
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