Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Don Byron: Ivey-Divey
Don Byron: Ivey-Divey
The interplay in this trio is telepathic. Moran fills in enough space so that the absence of a bassist isn't noticed. Yet he doesn't overplay. In his comping and his soloing, he often ventures outside the changes, and he swings with the power of a tsunami. DeJohnette's drumming is ideal. Whether with brushes or with sticks, the great drummer provides perfectly placed accents, going with Moran where the music needs to go. And, of course, he swings.
Byron is a paradigm of relentless invention. Whether it's in the gentle caress of "Himm" or the bass clarinet howls of "I Want To Be Happy," the leader demonstrates creativity, technical prowess, and that sense of "ivey-divey" he's searching for. And during the second half of the program, when the core trio adds bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and on two tracks, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, the music maintains its high level of excellence. On "The Goon Drag," Byron plays tenor sax, and he does so with an edgy sound and deep, mournful feeling. "'Leopold, Leopold...'" is a driving tune with DeJohnette generating a powerhouse funk rhythm. The two Miles Davis-associated tracks are also top shelf.
Ivey-Divey is a contender for album of the year.
Track Listing
I Want to be Happy; Somebody Loves Me; I Cover the Waterfront; I've Found a New Baby; Himm (for our Lord and Kirk Franklin); The Goon Drag; Abie the Fisherman; Lefty Teachers at Home; "Leopold, Leopold..."; Freddie Freeloader; In a Silent Way; Somebody Loves Me (alt. tk.)
Personnel
Don Byron
clarinetDon Byron (clarinet, bass clarinet,tenor saxophone), Jason Moran (piano), Jack DeJohnette (drums except "Himm"), Ralph Alessi (trumpet on "The Goon Drag," "Leopold, Leopold..."), Lonnie Plaxico (bass on "The Goon Drag," "Abie the Fisherman," "Lefty Teachers at Home," "Leopold, Leopold...," "In a Silent Way")
Album information
Title: Ivey-Divey | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Blue Note Records
About Don Byron
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
