Bill & Ted

With this subtly provocative solo recital, Ted Rosenthal merges three very different streams of piano history, putting his personal stamp on all of them. He pays homage to Bill Evans with "I Loves You Porgy," "Turn out the Stars," and "Waltz for Debby," playing the last in 5/4 but reverting to 4/4 only on his second solo chorus. The Bud Powell portion is more extensive, consisting of "Tempus Fugit," "Wail," "I'll Keep Loving You," "Celia," "Parisian Thoroughfare," and, in another 5/4 interpretation, the closing "Tea for Two." Last but not least, Rosenthal unveils his improvisational approach to Beethoven with the latter two movements of the "Pathetique" sonata, as well as the third movement of "Opus 109," which inspires a full nine minutes of spirited invention. In Rosenthal's hands all this music sounds as though it sprang from the same muse, and that's the sign of a skilled, imaginative artist.

Stunning early work from trumpeter Ted Curson - a record that's got as much soul and rock-solid power as you'd guess from the image on the cover! Ted's working here in the company of his frequent partner from the early days - tenorist Bill Barron - and together, they come up with a riveting sound that rivals the genius of early 60s work from Charles Mingus or Booker Ervin - with a similar blend of sharp edges, tight rhythms, and in the pocket soul! The rest of the group features Georges Arvanitas on piano - making a rare American appearance - plus Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums.

Stunning early work from trumpeter Ted Curson - a record that's got as much soul and rock-solid power as you'd guess from the image on the cover! Ted's working here in the company of his frequent partner from the early days - tenorist Bill Barron - and together, they come up with a riveting sound that rivals the genius of early 60s work from Charles Mingus or Booker Ervin - with a similar blend of sharp edges, tight rhythms, and in the pocket soul! The rest of the group features Georges Arvanitas on piano - making a rare American appearance - plus Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums.

Bill Barron - Quintet & Sextet (1961-1962) {2012 2CD Savoy Jazz-Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 707}
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© 1961-62, 2012 Savoy / Fresh Sound Records | FSR-CD 707 | 24bit remaster
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

The three albums tenorman Bill Barron made as a leader for Savoy Records in early 60s embody every facet of this accomplished jazzman as a talented soloist, composer and arranger. And, despite the similarities in their harmonic ideas, Barron was not a slavish disciple of John Coltrane.

With Ted Curson's magnificent Black Lion CD "Tears For Dolphy" no longer available (and alas my review of that title for Amazon as well), it is great to see that other excellent 60s Curson recordings have resurfaced in recent years. "The New Thing & The Blue Thing," originally issued on Atlantic in 1965 and now reissued on Koch Jazz, is one of these albums. This disc features the same lineup as "Tears For Dolphy" – Curson on trumpet, Bill Barron on tenor sax, Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums – with the addition of Georges Arvanitas on piano. ~ Amazon Customer's Review

Ted Curson - Tears For Dolphy (1964) {Black Lion BLCD760190 rel 1993}
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© 1964, 1993 Fontana / Black Lion | BLCD760190
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Trumpet

Although the term "avant-garde" is used several times in the liner notes, this quartet outing by trumpeter Ted Curson, tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, bassist Herb Bushler and drummer Dick Berk actually falls between hard bop and free bop. Curson and Barron in particular made for a potent team and their interplay on nine originals (five by Curson, four by Barron) is quite impressive, swinging and occasionally witty. This CD reissue brings back the entire Tears for Dolphy album plus three of the six songs from the Flip Top LP, all recorded the same day. Although the title cut does not live up to its potential, such tunes as "Kassim," "7/4 Funny Time," "Quicksand" and "Searchin' for the Blues" manage to be both explorative and surprisingly accessible.