Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dave Glasser: Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew

133

Dave Glasser: Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew

By

Sign in to view read count
Dave Glasser: Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew
This is Dave Glasser's first album for the Artemis label. Previously, he was part of the Nagel Heyer stable having made two albums for them as a leader and numerous ones as a sideman. Of the young alto sax players on the scene today, few can match the purity of tone that Glasser gets out of the horn. It combines the sultry sound of Johnny Hodges with Stan Getz's out and out beautiful tone. Add to this a shred of the lightness of Paul Desmond and you have alto playing at its best. Glasser clearly has not been swayed by either Charlie Parker or John Coltrane. The Getz influence is apparent on an A Capella opening to "Love Letters". On the title tune, "Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew", the Hodges influence rules. But on all tracks, the playing is tasteful, sometimes bordering on elegant and stately, but always highly melodic... and he can swing. The light touch comes in especially handy when the tempo is upbeat, allowing the alto player to exercise his digital facility with excellent results as on "Moose the Mooche". The drums of Lewis Nash set the scene with an on the mark percussive opening. Glasser is accompanied by an outstanding rhythm section of Barry Harris, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash. Trumpet player Kurt Weiss shows on "Funny Money". Harris makes important contributions to this album with solos on "Focus", and an especially engaging one on "Don't You Know I Care", with Washington's lightly plucked bass providing the foundation. "Czakass" is a tongue in cheek, blusey tribute to one of the better recording engineers in the business, Jim Czak.

In a time when too many of the present generation of horn players seem to feel that they have to be strident to be heard, Glasser is a welcome oasis in a desert of dissonance. If you only buy one alto sax album this year, get this one.

Track Listing

Pannonica; Focus; Don't You Know I Care; Ode to a Toad; Deep Dark; Revol-Ver; Dreams, Askew, Dreams Anew; Funny Money; Czakass; Get Me on Your Mind; Moose the Mooche; Love Letters

Personnel

Dave Glasser
saxophone

Dave Glasser - Alto Sax; Barry Harris - Piano; Peter Washington - Bass; Lewis Nash - Drums; Kurt Weiss - Trumpet

Album information

Title: Dreams Askew, Dreams Anew | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Artemis Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.