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James Moody: Moody 4B
ByFinding new ways to bring oft-played favorites to life, and finding something meaningful to say/play on these pieces, is not always an easy task. Fortunately, these four A-listers seem to be up to the challenge. Barron gets the locomotive movingat a relaxed clipon "Take The A Train," but it becomes an express train when the whole quartet gets involved. "Hot House" is slower than usual here and Moody is suave as can be when he works through head. "Speak Low" is re-imagined as a Calypso-influenced excursionwith Barron adding some Cuban-sounds to the mixand the rhythm section moves between their island-inspired groove and a swing feel. With the exception of the ballads, Moody's soloing shines brightest on this one.
The balladsall superb from start to finishcome in different shapes and sizes. Moody's melodic expression on "Polka Dots & Moonbeams" is an example of emotive playing at its finest. Cole Porter's "I Love You" gets a beguine-meets-ballad treatment, courtesy of Nash. Barron's soloing is more rhythmically engaging than Moody's on this one, as the saxophonist prefers to use more finesse than firmness. Barron's "Nikara's Song" has a moodier (no pun intended) sense of intrigue to it, with Moody's tender saxophone sound and Barron's mood-setting skills used to full effect.
While Nash ably demonstrates his ability to shape a song with subtly sliding brushstrokes, his crisp, clean, highly articulate single-stroke playing with brushes has become more of a calling card for him. These skills are put to use on Todd Coolman's "O.P. Update" and "But Not For Me," which features some superb soloing from Coolman. Both rhythm men even have an opportunity to trade back and forth a bit on "Along Came Betty"Moody's nod to fellow octogenarian saxophone legend Benny Golson. 4B, like its similarly named sibling album, is a fine edition to the catalog of one of the most enduring and important saxophonists in jazz.
Track Listing
Take the A Train; Hot House; Speak Low; Polka Dots & Moonbeams; I Love You; O.P. Update; Nikara's Song; Along Came Betty; But Not For Me.
Personnel
James Moody
woodwindsJames Moody: tenor saxophone; Kenny Barron: piano; Todd Coolman: bass; Lewis Nash: drums.
Album information
Title: Moody 4B | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: IPO Recordings
Comments
Tags
James Moody
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan Bilawsky
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
IPO Recordings
United States
Dizzy Gillespie
Kenny Barron
Todd Coolman
Lewis Nash
Cole Porter
benny golson
Moody 4B