Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Danny Green Trio: Altered Narratives
Danny Green Trio: Altered Narratives
ByWith Altered Narratives, Green and companybassist Justin Grinnell and drummer Julien Cantelmshow that they can go two-for-two in producing first-rate piano trio jazz, again on a set of tunes penned by pianist Green. The pianist's tune-smithing is slightly idiosyncratic with an anchor in the tradition. His melodies have a sense of wonder ("Serious Fun"), sometimes a sense of fun ("Benji's Song"), and the tongue might at times lodge in the cheek ("I Hate The Blues"), as he applies his supple-but-strong touch to the keyboard, accompanied by the bassist and drummer who may lean closer to the "accompanist" modeas opposed to the democratic approach, while still injecting their individualistic sounds into the music.
The disc's opener, "Chatter From All Sides" is a slinky, cool dude strut. "The Merge" zooms along, edgy and frenetic, and "October Ballad" is an alluring reverie.
Then there's the leap that sets this apart from Green's previous recording: three tunes, in the middle of the eleven tune set, featuring the addition of a string quartet. There's nothing that adds a touch of elegance to a jazz set more than an adeptly-done string arrangement, and these are superb: violins, viola and cello in a sinuous, sometimes whispering embrace with a vibrant, top-notch piano trio, delving into Danny Green's distinguished compositions.
Track Listing
Chatter From All Sides; The Merge; October Ballad; 6 a.m.; Second Chance; Katabasis; Porcupine Dreams; Benji's Song; I Used To Hate The Blues; Friday At The Thursday Club; Serious Fun.
Personnel
Danny Green
pianoDanny Green: piano; Justin Grinnell: bass; Julien Cantelm: drums.
Album information
Title: Altered Narratives | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: OA2 Records
< Previous
Some Morning