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Bailey's Bundles
Two Volume 2s: Mulgrew Miller and Jessica Williams-Live at Yoshi’s Volume 2
C. Michael Bailey
...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...The next pieces are three of her four original compositions on the disc. "Spoken Softly is a ballad with a deceptively turbulent minor center. "Elbow Room is exactly what Williams creates with a complex Monkian blues waltz that allows the pianist to play in the piano's lower register, where she solos, quoting "Blue Monk and "A Rhapsody in Blue. As the swing straightens out, the pianist's soloing becomes more facile and her left hand more propulsive. Drummond solos over Williams chording seamlessly. Lewis, ever the perfect time keeper, quietly plies his trade, keeping the other two on course. "Soldaji is a descending chordal pattern over Drummond's arco bass, almost a nocturne in the beginning with a ripple of anxiousness in the high keys. Lewis provides a soft Caribbean beat, echoing Williams' left hand. A full 2:30 into the piece, all three principles come together and over the remaining choruses slowly build the unrequited tension anticipation, a set of variations on a theme, with each member improvising.
Williams approaches Sonny Rollins' "Paul's Pal from the point of view of the saxophone, approximated on the piano. Her solos pay homage to the tenorist, honoring his lyricism and grace. "Lulu's Back in Town finds the pianist in a strident mood, playing the dozens with Willie "The Lion Smith. This is perfect throwback to throw into the mix this musical chemist is cooking up—pure fun.
A lengthy introspective "Summertime closes the recital. Williams navigates the standard carefully, with a languid and tender caress. On this always humid piece, slow and narcotic, the pianist draws from the creation of Gershwin an entire season of ideas, concepts, motives, and notes. With ebb and flow the piece builds velocity slowly and with purpose, never getting raucous or loud. Just keeping the tension on and continuing to prove an observation that I made three years ago: "...Williams has the facility to play in any damn style she likes, thank you! In the end Jessica Williams plays like Jessica Williams."
Tracks and Personnel
Mulgrew Miller - Live at Yoshi's Volume 2
Tracks: Joshua; Comes Love; Road Life; It's Easy To Remember; One's Own Room; Little Girl Blue; Citadel.
Personnel: Mulgrew Miller: piano; Derrick Hodge: bass; Karriem Riggins: drums.
Jessica Williams - Live at Yoshi's Volume 2
Tracks: 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: piano; Ray Drummond: bass; Victor Lewis: drums.
