Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paul Wertico Trio: Don't Be Scared Anymore

Paul Wertico Trio: Don't Be Scared Anymore

By Todd S. Jenkins
September 1, 2000
View read count

Paul Wertico Trio: Don't Be Scared Anymore

Following the untimely demise of the Igmod label, the Paul Wertico Trio made an enlivening shift to Premonition to produce their first studio disc. The trio format seems to offer Wertico a better chance to really stretch out and shine than the Pat Metheny Group or his own prior groups permitted. He selected near-perfect foils in guitarist John Moulder and bassist Eric Hochberg, who share both the leader’s quirky eclecticism and his understanding of the diverse elements that constitute good fusion.

The opening "Clybourn Strut" kicks off the affair in high gear, sounding like a herd of rhinos have commandeered a New Orleans second line. Next Moulder serves up musky late-night blues. Hochberg is thankfully up-front in the mix instead of playing second fiddle as is a bassist’s usual fate. His swooping runs lead the safari behind drum surges on "African Sunset." His overdubbed arco and pizzicato basses drive "The Visit," which is flavored by rainstick and cymbal shimmers. "Long Journey’s End" sounds more like an invigorated beginning as it bounds hell-bent for leather. "Justa Little Tuna" reminds me, of all things, of some of the folky little compositions proffered by the Art Ensemble of Chicago in their middle ECM period.

This album is like the soundtrack to the world’s coolest vacation; let it take you along for the ride.

Track Listing

Clybourn Strut; The Underground; African Sunset; The Visit; Liftoff; Long Journey's End; Taliaville; Justa Little Tuna; Testament

Personnel

Paul Wertico

drums

John Moulder

guitar

Eric Hochberg

bass

Paul Wertico - drums, percussion; John Moulder - guitar; Eric Hochberg - basses, guitars, trumpet

Album information

Title: Don't Be Scared Anymore | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Premonition Records

About Paul Wertico

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Charles Lloyd: Crossing the Waters W...
< Previous

Passages
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.