Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Andrew Green: Narrow Margin

242

Andrew Green: Narrow Margin

By

Sign in to view read count
Andrew Green: Narrow Margin
Commonly known as the author of a popular series of instruction books, including Jazz Guitar Comping, Jazz Guitar Structures and Jazz Guitar Technique, Andrew Green's lesson plans are revered for their basic approach towards complex concepts. His debut album, Narrow Margin, is a similarly understated, though deceptively intricate affair.

Temporarily sidelined by a sprained wrist in 2006, Green devoted his time to writing the multi-layered charts that make up the bulk of this session. During his convalescence, he entertained himself with a steady diet of classic film noir—a subtle influence felt in the album's eight evocative tunes—even naming this record after the 1952 film of the same name.

Eschewing the opportunity to grandstand on his first date as a leader, Green focuses on his writing and arranging skills, spotlighting the stellar talent of his youthful sextet. Russ Johnson (trumpet), Bill McHenry (tenor saxophone) and JC Sanford (trombone) make up the powerhouse front-line, while John Hebert (bass) and Mark Ferber (drums) fill out the elastic rhythm section. Navigating Green's labyrinthine pieces with cinematic flair and ardent emotion, they deliver concise, imaginative solos bolstered by empathetic group interplay.

The album title, pulpy liner notes and a spirited reading of "Narrow Margin/Taxi Driver" (a medley of the pithy title track and Bernard Herrmann's classic movie theme) invoke the moody ambience of film noir. "Midnight Novelette," "Miro" and "Black Roses" embrace the genre's predilection for languid tempos and bluesy introspection, yet Green's expansive writing is unrestrained by stylistic conventions. Cantilevered melodies, contrapuntal harmonies and shifting rhythms form the foundation of his multi-hued compositions.

Green's sleek, serpentine fretwork is generally compliant with Post-War aesthetics, but the distorted guitar tone that amplifies "Short Cut" and "Honeymoon in Ipswich" bears little resemblance to the clean hollow-body sound of yesteryear. Equally adventurous, Green's key front-line partners flirt with the expressive possibilities of free jazz; Johnson veers from dexterous linearity to tonally ambiguous smears, while McHenry's oblique variations careen through angular intervals with histrionic fervor.

A solid debut featuring a crack ensemble, Narrow Margin offers a hearty mix of beguiling lyricism and hard edged improvisation, inspired by the bold chiaroscuro of film noir.

Track Listing

45 Auto; Midnight Novelette; Miro; Narrow Margin/Taxi Driver; Totally Joe; Short Cut; Black Roses; Honeymoon in Ipswich.

Personnel

Andrew Green: guitar; Bill McHenry: tenor sax; Russ Johnson: trumpet; JC Sanford: trombone; John Hebert: bass; Mark Ferber: drums; Benny Cha Cha: Wurlitzer piano (4).

Album information

Title: Narrow Margin | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Microphonic Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.