| | |
| | |
 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
CDs: That's Time Enough / Lucky Day 
Click below to listen to a clip. 
A Night in Tunisia A Child Is Born Billie’s Bounce Chich笭Itz&#-4433;font> Somewhere Over the Rainbow We’re Off to See the Wizard If I Only Had a Brain Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead Poinciana Roll in the Hay I Loves You, Porgy That’s Time Enough
PURCHASE THIS CD AT www.CDFreedom.com or www.Amazon.com or www.CDBaby.com.
To listen to these MP3's, you will need a player. Click HERE to get the FREE and popular WinAmp.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
CD Title: That's Time EnoughYear: 2004
Record Label: KippieJosh Jazz
Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
Musicians: Leslie Maclean(piano), Jerry Pollock(drums and percussion), Bob Bowman(bass)
Review: When one picks up a Jazz CD these days, there are many things that can happen, you can listen and say "that's cool, they do a good job covering those tunes" or you could say "Wow, I have never heard that song played like that before!" or you could do both. That is the case with this CD by The Leslie Maclean Trio, you say both! Maclean's arrangements of some of the foundation standards such as A Child Is Born and I Loves You, Porgy are uniquely treated and played by the trio. What surprised me and hooked me on this CD was Maclean's playful and creative interpretation of the medley from the Wizard of Oz. TO OZ? TO OZ! consists of four of the most remembered songs from Hollywood. But these compositions are even more memorable as Maclean adds a nuance to each that illicit memories from the movie, and at the same time, create whole new scenes in the listener's head. This part of the CD is truly fun to listen to.
Maclean's talent goes beyond the creation of new interpretations of old standards and familiar songs. Her playing is solid and is the anchor that holds the trio in place at each note. Her long-time playing partner, Jerry Pollock and Bassist, Bob Bowman provide a solid rhythm section, and foundation for Maclean to build her compositions on. They are tight in all aspects of the music and treat each arrangement with the sensitivity and expression that Maclean has defined. When you hear the fun expressed in the Wizard medley, you are immediately aware of the familiarity each player has with the other and you know right away, Maclean creates with the trio in mind. Chichen-Itza and Roll In The Hay are two originals by Maclean that offer a taste of her wide range of compositional flexibility and creativity.
Pollock's skill on the kit and other percussion instruments is a highlight of the CD. Whether delivering strong chops in solos, or adding the appropriate sound in just the right place with a percussion instrument, Pollock provides sensitive support for all of Maclean’s arrangements. Bowman's bass is more than just the bottom, and is the other half of a solid rhythm section. He creates his own sense of presence through notable solos, and a steady groove that both Pollock and Maclean take advantage of throughout the work.
That's Time Enough is a remarkable straight-ahead jazz CD, but it is also a creative and just plain fun CD to listen to. From the first time you hear it, you will be caught up in the feel of the fun that this trio has when playing together. You won't be able get some of the tunes out of your head. Tunes you thought you knew until you heard The Leslie Maclean Trio play them!!!
Reviewed by: Charles Vecoli
Copyright© 2005 JazzReview.com®. All Rights Reserved.
CDs: That's Time Enough / Lucky Day
Click below to listen to a clip. Billie's Bounce Chich笭Itz&#-6212;/font> Let's Let It Happen What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? Flying You Won't Be Coming Home Tonight Over the Rainbow Lucky Day/Blue Skies To listen to these MP3's, you will need a player. Click HERE to get the FREE and popular WinAmp
In their first CD, the Leslie Maclean Trio presents a diverse group of tunes which showcase a multitude of concepts, styles and ideas. Beginning with the classic be-bop tune “Billie’s Bounce” by jazz icon Charlie Parker, the Trio shows their command of the bop idiom as they sail through the melody and blues changes, adding their own special touches along the way. Jerry’s melodic brushwork is of particular note.
The four original compositions run the gamut from “Flying”, an aptly named and scintillating jazz waltz, to the atmospheric “Chichen-Itza”, with its evocative melody and driving Latin rhythms. Also included are the bubbly “Let’s Let It Happen”, a joyful paean to the wonder of dawning love, and the R&B-influenced “You Won’t Be Coming Home Tonight”, which illuminates the dark corners of a love gone wrong.
Leslie stretches out on the beautiful Michel LeGrand ballad “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”. Her extensive background in classical music is apparent in the clarity of line and beauty of tone shown in the opening section of the arrangement. As the music changes feel and tempo, Leslie guides the Trio through an intensely realized solo, putting her technical expertise and her extraordinary musicality together to dazzling effect. This passionate and pianistic rendering holds the listener’s interest from first note to last.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Lucky Day/Blue Skies” display Leslie’s exceptional arranging skills. Flowing swiftly from idea to idea, they take the listener on a musical journey during which imaginative surprises await around every corner.
Leslie’s warm and inviting vocal style sparkles with effervescent good humor and charm, evincing a youthful quality devoid of world-weariness and cynicism.
With this CD, the Leslie Maclean Trio returns to the jazz scene, their music fresh and bright, and their sheer delight in playing evident in every note.