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CD/LP/Track Review
Don Friedman Quartet: Match Point
David A. Orthmann
David hears the melody of "Salt Peanuts" in the squawk of wild turkeys walking through his back yard.Taking a rare, well-deserved turn as a leader, pianist Don Friedman delivers a recording of fine, small band music. The material consists primarily of a wide sweep of American Popular Songs and jazz standards. In Friedman’s scheme of things, a swing-era favorite like “Tickle Toes” coexists comfortably with “Green Dolphin Street,” “Round Midnight,” as well as a pair of his own compositions.
Friedman’s rapport with Tom Butts is one of the disc’s strengths. In addition to improvised duets with rhythm accompaniment that are built into several cuts, the pianist has a penchant for playing arresting chords behind the tenor saxophonist’s solos, adding color to the logical, well-structured work. Befitting a musician who has played with giants ranging from Jimmy Giuffre, to Ornette Coleman, to Clark Terry, Friedman’s own solos are full of quiet suprises, like disrupting the flow of neat, single-note lines with chordal passages, but always retaining a melodic essence. In particular, his ballad playing has exceptional clarity. Bassist Gary Mazzaropppi and drummer Frank Ferreri are solid ensemble players and offer unobtrusive support to the primary soloists.
Vocalist Alyse Levy conveys the lyrics to tunes such as “There’s No Such Thing As Love,” and “Time After Time,” with subtlety and sincerity. Her version of “Here’s That Rainy Day” beautifully imparts heartache and loss.
Track Listing: Tickle Toes; If You Could See Me Now; I'll Remember April; There's No Such Thing As Love; Almost Everything; Ricardo Bossa Nova; Round Midnight; Green Dolphin Street; Here's that Rainy Day; Match Point; Travelin'; Prelude to a Kiss; Time After Time; S.S.Cool
Personnel: Don Friedman-Piano; Tom Butts-Tenor Saxophone; Frank Ferreri-Drums; Gary Mazzaroppi-Bass; Alyse Levy-Vocals
Record Label: TBR Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
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