CD/LP/Track Review
The Bill Mays Trio: Going Home (2003)
C. Michael Bailey
...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...
Bill Mays spent the majority of 1970s accompanying Sarah Vaughan and Al Jarreau. Lately he has performing on film scores. His talent in these settings is understated and perhaps one must first approach Mr. Mays's art from Live At Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume 26 (Concord Jazz CCD 4567, 1992). On Going Home, Mr. Mays is joined by drummer Matt Wilson, who himself has recently released a warmly-received solo outing on Palmetto, Humidity . This recording is a solid trio outing replete with fine soloing by all concerned. The disc is evenly divided between standards and originals, the latter focusing on a muse provided by Mays' summer home in Shoholo, PA.
Wilson and bassist Martin Wind fill out the trio effectively, providing a bit of rock 'n' roll to the disc closer.
Mays sings "I'm a Homebody" like a Broadway lyricist singing Mose Allison. His approach is very unique, very idiosyncratic, and absolutely unmistakable. Sprinkled within is a bouncy, "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and a very reflective "Going Home," perhaps the best jazz treatment of Dvorak's beautiful melody since Art Tatum's. Palmetto continues to provide some of the most provocative mainstream jazz today, and this disc is a prime example.
Visit Palmetto Records at www.palmetto- records.com .
Track Listing: Judy; You?d Be So Nice To Come Home To; Shohola Song; Home; On The Road; Shoho Love Song; Nosey Neighbors; In Her Arms; Comin? Home Baby; Going Home; I?m A Homebody. (Total Time 62:18).
Personnel: Bill Mays-Piano, Vocals; Matt Wilson-Drums; Martin Wind-Bass.
Record Label: Palmetto Records | Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
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