Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Bob McHugh Duo: After Midnight

170

The Bob McHugh Duo: After Midnight

By

Sign in to view read count
The Bob McHugh Duo: After Midnight
Both Bob McHugh and Ron Naspo are prime examples of fine talents who have been on the music scene for may years, but are not exactly household names. Both have excelled as educators and performers. Naspo has been involved with classical music as well. This is McHugh's 4th album and he calls his playing style "lunge" to lift it a level or two above the easy listening, like lounge music. McHugh like to record in a small combo environment, using another jazz artist as his featured guest. Thus, in addition to Naspo, his recording playing partners have included percussionist Ray Mantilla. McHugh's piano is neither flamboyant, nor so laid back and relaxed that it has no verve and enthusiasm. Moreover, he uses the entire keyboard, giving both hands an equal chance. "On the Trail", is hardly a main entry in most pianist play book, the notable exception being Oscar Peterson's 1974 recording of his performance from Latvia. Naspo is a master of the melodic bass as on "Every Little Breeze Seems to Shout Sharon", McHugh's take off on "Louise". McHugh uses Charlie Parker's "Ornithology" to further show off his ability to easily handle different jazz genre. Naspo is a prime example of lyrical bass playing as he so ably demonstrates on "My Ideal", and his arco work is impeccable and haunting as well as swinging, as on Cole Porter's "I Love You". While there is nothing earthshattering here, this is a fine 43 minutes of music from two masters of their trade.

Bob McHugh's web home is at www.lungemusic.com/bands/index.asp .

Track Listing

On the Trail; Autumn Leaves; Baubles, Bangles & Beads; Every Little Breeze Seems to Shout Sharon; Samba de Orfeu; After Midnight; Ornithology; I Love You; I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face; My Ideal

Personnel

Bob McHugh - Piano; Ron Naspo - Bass

Album information

Title: After Midnight | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: After Midnight

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
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

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