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Since the '50s, Kenny Burrell has contributed crucial
titles to some of the most important jazz labels, including
Blue Note, Verve, Columbia, and Muse. For his 96th
album, Burrell sticks to what's worked well for him
over the past fifty years: some blues, some Ellington, some
swing, and several ballads, all played with beautiful tone
and exquisite taste. To keep things fresh, Burrell adds
some unusual flavors to the stew: acoustic guitar
and voice.
At the dawn of his lengthy career, Burrell sang solo
on Detroit TV. He also sang on Weaver of Dreams
(Columbia 1960) and the recent Lucky So and So (Concord 2001). While George
Benson can continue to sleep undisturbed,
Burrell generally acquits himself as a straightforward
reader of lyrics on four of these tunes.
With drummer Sherman Ferguson and especially bassist Roberto
Miranda lighting a fire under the swinging groove of
"Mark I," the set begins with classic Burrell, his effortless
technical prowess and often-imitated tone intact. The ballad "My Friend Ray"
pays tribute to the late Ray Brown, pianist Gerald Wiggins
treating Burrell's chords, octaves, and solos as another voice
to showcase, sensitively dressing each measure to the
sweet sounding guitar's advantage. Miranda deftly dances
through the arrangement without adding clutter.
"On the Wings of Spirit," finds Herman Riley joining
the proceedings on flute and Burrell playing a steel string
acoustic in a Brazilian mode. "Then I Met You"
returns Riley to breathy flute as Burrell sings a self-penned
ode to his wife. While it can be argued that the sentiment
and the vocal (and the synth string section) were better left
at home, Burrell's solo offers a glimpse of what could have
been a more evocative instrumental.
"It's No Time to be Blue," a version of Kenny
Dorham's "Blue Bossa" with lyrics, works better. The
emphasis remains on Burrell's acoustic guitar, with the
vocals basically stating the theme.
"3/4 of the House"
recalls Miles' "All Blues" and happily steers the program
away from a sentimental rut. Riley slathers soulful tenor
all over the tune, pushing Burrell into familiar blues territory.
Monk's "'Round Midnight" brings the tempo back
down, but features Burrell's best vocal of the collection,
although the tune's angularity is all ironed out.
Now celebrating his fruitful twenty-five year association
with UCLA, his reputation untouchable, his place in jazz
history assured (he was, afterall, Duke Ellington's favorite
guitarist), and with over two hundred album appearances
in addition to his nearly hundred as leader, Burrell will hardly
live or die by Blue Muse. But this self-produced effort
seems to argue in favor of an objective sympathetic hand
to help steer number ninety-seven.
Visit Concord on the web:
www.concordrecords.com
This review first appeared in All About Jazz: Los Angeles.
~ Rex Butters
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Track Listing: Mark I, My Friend Ray, On the Wings of
the Spirit, Then I Met You/ It's No Time to be Blue, Blue
in Green, Blue Muse, Solitude, ¾ of the House, 'Round
Midnight, Habiba, Blue Guitar Blues
Personnel: Kenny Burrell- acoustic and electric guitar,
vocals; Tom Ranier- piano and keyboards; Gerald
Wiggins- piano; Herman Riley- saxophone and flute;
Roberto Miranda- bass; Sherman Ferguson- drums
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