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3 Cohens: Tightrope
ByTightrope is a multifaceted outing with bountiful helpings of horns-only music and tangential offerings that allow for other parties to join in on the action. The 3 Cohens, sans guests, work through originals, classics and spur-of-the- moment "Conversation" pieces that highlight a shared chemistry and wit. They reference saxophonist Gerry Mulligan's What Is There To Say? (Columbia, 1959) via bluesy performances of "Festive Minor" and "Blueport," touch on bop with "Hot House," look back to Louis Armstrong with "Indiana," and return to their roots with "Ai Li Lu Li Lu," a Yiddish lullaby that their mother sang to them as children. The five "Conversation" tracks, the longest of which runs just over two minutes, aren't fully formed pieces, yet they provide a window into the relationship(s) between these masterful musicians. Avishai's brief-and-hip "Mantra" doesn't fall into either the history-based or open source categories of music, yet it deserves mention precisely for this reason; it's a hip-as-hell album closer that stands just fine on its own.
While the a cappella horns album idea would have worked top-to-bottom, the lure of collaboration put the kibosh on that firm concept. Pianist Fred Hersch appears on several tracks, bassist Christian McBride drops in for a trip through "Just Squeeze Me," and drummer Jonathan Blake adds a little oomph to the program during Avishai's down-and-dirty "Black." All parties mesh well with the horns and bring new dimensions to the program.
With each and every album, the 3 Cohens have furthered the scope of their music and broadened the definition of togetherness. They may take risks, walking tightropes with nary a net in sight, but they do so together, with hearts and minds linked through music.
Track Listing
Blueport; Conversation #1; Song Without Words #4: Duet; Conversation #2; Black; Just Squeeze Me; Hot House; There's No You; Estate; Conversation #3; Indiana; I Mean You; It Might As Well; Festive Minor; Conversation #4; Conversation #5; Ai Li Lu Li Lu; Mantra.
Personnel
3 Cohens
band / ensemble / orchestraAnat Cohen: clarinet(s) and tenor saxophone; Avishai Cohen: trumpets; Yuval Cohen: soprano saxophone; Fred Hersch: piano (3, 9, 12); Christian McBride: bass (6); Johnathan Blake: drums (5).
Album information
Title: Tightrope | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Anzic Records
Comments
About 3 Cohens
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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