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I think Mingus would have liked the opener on The Benny Lackner Trio. Lackner and
colleagues take on his classic "Moanin'" with a fuzzy bass groove and quirky pots and
pans
(literally) serving as percussion.
Keyboardist Benny Lackner burst onto the scene on one of last year's finest recordings,
vocalist Hillary Maroon's Migratory, which offered a blend of M-Based rhythms and avant-jazz
with the occasional rock/pop sensibilites. With a follow-up to that near classic CD in the works,
Lackner steps out on this instrumental set.
Lackner has a real talent for clean, classic-sounding melodies, and his mix of accoustic and
electric textures--Fender rhodes, nordelectro, nordlead2--keeps the sound interesting from start to
finish. He includes two classics, the aforementioned "Moanin" and the Great American
Songbook gem "Cherokee," that slip in nicely with his five originals. His "Will It
Matter?", an accoustic ballad, has a simple and straightforward melody that conveys a sense
of weary melancholy which edges into anguish before regathering itself. The electric and edgy
"Umlaut" builds on a captivating stop/start rhythm; "Monday Morning"
conveys a electro/caffeinated feel.
The closer, "Bushisms," frames another lovely Lackner melody, delicately rendered
and
tinged with sadness--a saving-the-best-for-last affair.
One of the finer trio efforts of the year.
Visit www.bennylackner.com.
~ Dan McClenaghan
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Track Listing: Moanin', Will It Matter?, Umlaut, Monday Morning, Cherokee, Red Hook, Bushisms
Personnel: Benny Lackner, keyboards; Robert Perkins, drums, cajon, pots and pans; Derek Nievergelt,
accoustic and electric bass
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