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A Common Language (2CD)
Steve Nelson
Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Views: 122
Tracks
Bags' Groove; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Body And Soul; I Hear a Rhapsody; Ceora; My Shining Hour; I Thought About You; Star Eyes; Oh, Lady Be Good; Embraceable You; Well You Needn't; Up Jumped Spring; Lover Man; I Remember April; Satin Doll.
Personnel
Album Description
A Common Language features Nelson, Teepe and Ineke exploring 15 well-known jazz standards. A complete play-by- play is not necessary but a few highlights should be mentioned. “Bags’ Groove” and “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” can be thought of as tributes to Milt Jackson since the former is Jackson’s most famous composition while he performed the latter often with the Modern Jazz Quartet. While Nelson hints at Jackson on those two songs, he mostly displays his own original voice throughout this extended set. Nelson sounds relaxed on such ballads as “Body And Soul” and “Embraceable You” stretches himself a bit on “I Hear A Rhapsody,” and lets the beautiful melody of Lee Morgan’s “Ceora” largely speak for itself. He swings on some fine cookers including “My Shining Hour,” “Star Eyes,” and an energetic version of Thelonious Monk’s “Well You Needn’t,” yet effectively takes “I Thought About You” and “Lady Be Good” just a little slower than expected. And while Nelson is the lead voice, he leaves room for tradeoffs with Ineke and Teepe’s inventive solos and interplay. Suffice it to say, A Common Language is one of the recorded highpoints of Steve Nelson’s career. Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian
Album uploaded by Carl Medsker
