Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Toots Thielemans: Do Not Leave Me
Toots Thielemans: Do Not Leave Me
A supple, driving rhythm section featuring pianist Fred Hersch, bassist Marc Johnson, and drummer Joey Baron gives Thielemans sufficient support to float his mastery at will. He pleads, prods and probes, begs, borrows and steals on the gentle, bittersweet title track by Jacques Brel. Here, as well as on "Blue 'n Green —which pleasingly morphs into "All Blues, as on the original Miles Davis classic—Hersch vividly demonstrates the "harmonic and pianistic colors that so appeals to Thielemans.
Baron is a chameleon who feels comfortable under the skin of many a rhythmic style, but he performs best when he rides and drops bombs during a fast scorcher, like the double-time section of "All Blues. Styles associated with Scott LaFaro, George Mraz, and Eddie Gomez all show up in Marc Johnson's playing, with some Sam Jones-like bippity Bong Dong ba-di-ba-de Ong bong for good measure. Johnson's synthesis is refreshing.
The interpretation of "Stardust is gentle and warm like a quiet storm, not maudlin or purple. Marc Johnson takes an especially deft solo on "Autumn Leaves, but Thielemans rules the day on that chestnut, which was given a memorable treatment by Miles and Cannonball on Somethin' Else. "Velas, which Thielemans plays on harmonica with Quincy Jones, is given a backbeat groove by Baron, Johnson thumping the upright with an electric funk bass flair. "Bluesette is a delight, evoking memories of when I heard this version on WBGO when it came out in the late '80s.
Thielemans whistles the 3/4 tune and accompanies himself on guitar for the melody, as well as his blues and beboppish solo, and the audience itself becomes a participant by whistling the well-loved composition. A tasty set by an elastic group that's tight and loose when and where it should be.
Track Listing
Do Not Leave Me; Blue'N Green; Stardust; Autumn Leaves; Velas; Bluesette.
Personnel
Toots Thielemans
harmonicaToots Thielemans: harmonica, guitar, whistling; Fred Hersch: piano; Marc Johnson: bass; Joey Baron: drums.
Album information
Title: Do Not Leave Me | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Milan Records
< Previous
Warning - Sony BMG CDs Install Antipi...
Next >
Nine Gardeners Named Ned
Comments
Tags
For the Love of Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.Near
Giveaway
Days remaining: 14
