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Jessica Williams: Live at Yoshi's Volume Two
ByLast year's Volume One earned a top rating for its superior qualities and was selected by this writer as the best jazz album of the year. Volume Two follows with the same spirit and the same highly recommended result.
"Summertime" and "Flamenco Sketches" bookend the album with deeply felt ballad interpretations that reach into your soul. Williams expresses the feeling with perfection, and her musical partners enhance the mood with just the right inflection.
"Lulu's Back in Town" rollicks with a barrelhouse demeanor that relates the relevant role that the piano has played in history. Before vinyl, before tapes, before CDs, the piano brought joy to hard-working folks all over the world. It still does.
Sonny Rollins' "Paul's Pal" gives the trio plenty of room to stroll. Here, Williams relaxes with the straight-ahead mood that has carried jazz from city streets, public parks, and bordellos to movie theaters, grand auditoriums, and devoted clubs such as Yoshi's. With walking bass, ride cymbal, and cohesive interplay, the trio finds fruition. Williams interprets each selection with a crystal-clear understanding of what moves us.
Track Listing
Flamenco Sketches; Why Do I Love You; Spoken Softly; Elbow Room; Soldaji; Paul's Pal; Dear Gaylord; Lulu's Back in Town; Summertime
Personnel
Jessica Williams
pianoJessica Williams: piano; Ray Drummond: bass; Victor Lewis: drums.
Album information
Title: Live at Yoshi's Volume Two | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: MAXJAZZ
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