This Is Me

I’ve heard that Georgia O’Keefe never played records as background music while she painted, nor would she play them while she ate. She loved music and believed you either listened, you painted or you ate. Multi-tasking wasn’t an option. In today’s world where we get music as background to sports highlights and the national news, listening is secondary to everything but driving (don’t get me started on the cell phone exception). Today’s message, stop and LISTEN. The latest by guitarist Andrew Cheshire is an earful. His quartet of musicians has worked with everyone from Eric Dolphy, to Kenny Barron, Lee Konitz, Charles Lloyd, Joe Henderson, and Dewey Redman. The veterans Friedman and McClure have discographies to die for and drummer, Matt Wilson was a key session man for Accurate Records and Either/Orchestra before his critically acclaimed sessions as leaders on the Palmetto label. This quartet covers seven originals and two standards in the tradition of Jim Hall and Joe Pass. Funny because there is much to compare Don Friedman’s piano with Bill Evan’s work. But to compare McClure to Scott LaFaro is fruitless because this recording from 1996 speaks to a quiet bebop tradition and intelligent swing that stand on its own. Chesire, a self taught musician has his own sound, style and aura. A solid effort that requires you to put down the cell phone, sit and listen.

Track List:Endless Sky; These Four Walls; Always Be Near; I Should Care; Hip Hop; Walking The Red Horizon; Willow; Stella By Starlight; This Is Me.

Personnel: Andrew Cheshire – Guitar; Don Friedman – Piano; Ron McClure – Bass; Matt Wilson – Drums.