Lee Konitz with Alan Broadbent: More Live-Lee

Broadbent and Konitz paint quite the picture as they cruise around and under the melody. Broadbent, with his spacious support, lays a gentle foundation for Konitz' airy tone to float over. Broadbent also knows when to swing and push, as demonstrated on the assertive and fiendishly arranged "Bending Broadly." Rhythm is always implied and well stated on the pieces like the supple "Thingin'" and "You Stepped Out of a Dream." Broadbent is even allowed to demonstrate his prowess and reception of the Bill Evans baton on the effusive "You Go to My Head."

The focus of More Live-Lee, however, is Konitz, who seems to shine in settings with minimal accompaniment. His treatment of "I Can't Get Started" is as definitive as Lester Young's and just as mournful, wistful and yearning. His dry tone is immediately identifiable and elicits emotional and visceral reactions like few musicians can. As a music teacher once said, "If you have a good tone, your audience will hang in with you wherever you take them." Konitz and Broadbent have added another path for us to follow.

~ George Harris

Comments