Dan Adler: Back to The Bridge (2010)

Ernest Barteldes

Concert/Festival Reviewer since 2005

Ernest Barteldes is a freelance writer and an ESL teacher.

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Published: January 9, 2011

Israeli-born guitarist Dan Adler sets the tone for his second disc, Back to The Bridge, with "Silver And Gold," an original tune filled with smart licks and many improvisational bits shared with his band mates, organist Joey DeFrancesco and drummer Byron Landham. The disc is a mix of covers and new material suited for the organ trio format—Adler's first disc as a bandleader in this format.

According to Scott Yanow's liner notes, "Silver and Gold" was written as a homage to pianist and bandleader Horace Silver, and the muse is tangible. The track swings heavily, and the chemistry between the three musicians—DeFrancesco and Landham regularly play together—can immediately be felt. Joe Bushkin's "Oh, Look At Me Know" follows, an up-tempo, blues-inflected tune that highlights both Adler and DeFrancesco. The title track begins with the rhythm section, and Adler almost immediately heads towards a more improvisational mode when he joins in, after a few bars His solos reflect the influence of Joe Pass and John Scofield, but it is evident that the bandleader has a voice of his own with his nuanced style.

The sole nod to his native land is David Zehavi's "Yatsanu At (We Left Slowly)," a slow number whose original Hebrew lyrics speak of soldiers that leave their families to missions from which they might not return. It is a great opportunity for the musicians to improvise, as there is more space for longer-lasting notes and instrumental fluidity.

The disc closes with "The Smudge," an up-tempo Oscar Peterson blues performed in a very playful fashion. Adler does not fill his solos with too many notes, allowing the tune to keep its original, smoky feel. DeFrancesco also contributes a magnificent solo while doing a classic walking bass accompaniment on the pedals, giving Back To The Bridge a very suitable conclusion.

Track Listing: Silver and Gold; Oh, Look At Me Now; Joy Spring; Back to the Bridge; Good Old Days; A Beautiful Friendship; Yatsanu At (We Left Slowly); Between Jobs; I've Never Been In Love Before; The Smudge.

Personnel: Dan Adler: guitar; Joey DeFrancesco: organ; Byron Landham: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream