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Dan Adler: Back to The Bridge
ByAccording 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 musiciansDeFrancesco and Landham regularly play togethercan 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
guitarDan Adler: guitar; Joey DeFrancesco; organ; Byron Landham: drums.
Album information
Title: Back To The Bridge | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced
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