Larry Goldings Trio: Moonbird

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: September 1, 1999

Organist Larry Goldings deserves much credit for being one of the prime exponents or perhaps motivational forces behind the early 90’s resurgence of the organ trio format. For his first release on Palmetto Records, Goldings along with his longtime bandmates, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart enhance their repertoire with originals and pop-folk classics.

The title track, Moonbird is elegantly melodic and swinging, augmented by crafty thematic renderings by guitarist Peter Bernstein. Drummer Bill Stewart is no slouch either and is perhaps one of the top 10 session men in the jazz world. Style, panache and soul are perhaps credos that this Trio live by. Here and throughout, Goldings illustrates his admiration for the late organist Larry Young and the man who started it all, Jimmy Smith. Goldings occasionally alters his Hammond B-3 stops to evoke various moods, overtones and implements diverse perspectives within the context of the instrumentation taken as a whole.

The Trio churn in a 10-minute version of Joni Mitchell’s folk-pop classic, “Woodstock” while Goldings’ composition titled, “Christine” features an affable waltz-like motif, yet also swings hard! “Xoloft” is a smooth burner in the classic organ trio setting while capturing a contemporary spirit complete with a memorable melodic hook. A soulful approach to Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today” is further exemplified by Peter Bernstein’s poignant and bluesy lead guitar.....All told, Moonbird sparkles via thoroughly hip originals, clever renditions of a few classics, synergistic interplay, yet most of all, is ..............highly entertaining!! * * * *

Web: www.jazzcorner.com/magi productions

Palmetto Records: www.palmetto-records.com

Record Label: Palmetto Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream