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Fred Hersch: Alone At The Vanguard
ByThe people at Palmetto had the foresight to record every set during Hersch's week-long run at the end of 2010, but rather than cherry pick a number or two from each setà la Stan Getz's People Time (Polygram, 1992)they present a start-to-finish set. While a future Complete Fred Hersch At The Village Vanguard might be a nice thought, it's only wishful thinking for now, and this recording is more than sufficient to satiate the appetite of his fans until that day arrives.
Included within the program are a pair of paeans"Lee's Dream (Dedicated To Lee Konitz)" and "Down Home (Dedicated To Bill Frisell), which appeared on Fred Hersch Trio + 2 (Palmetto, 2004); classics from jazz giants Sonny Rollins ("Doxy") and Thelonious Monk ("Work"); and a bit of Brazilian magic in the form of Bandolim's "Doco de Coco"; but a Frank Sinatra standard beats all in terms of emotional impact. Hersch opens the set with a take on "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" that conveys a complete and appropriate sense of isolation and bruised masculinity, while also providing hopeful signs for a better tomorrow.
After such an affecting opener, Hersch could really do no wrong, but he doesn't take his performance lightly: instead, he displays musical haughtiness and cheer when saluting Frisell; delights in creating fine narrative arc; toys with a more tempered attack on his nod to Konitz; provides a pearly touch in the upper reaches of the piano; and brings greater dignity and development to the work of Monk than 99.9 percent of the people that peddle his wares.
While Hersch's slowly roaming dissection of "Doxy" ends the program on an understated note, an artist of his caliber doesn't need fireworks to impress at the end of a night. The evolution of his every idea can freeze a smile on the face of his audience, command attention, and leave a room rapt with appreciation and admiration. Alone At The Vanguard is the proof.
Track Listing
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning; Down Home (dedicated to Bill Frisell); Echoes; Lee's Dream (Dedicated to Lee Konitz); Pastorale (Dedicated to Robert Schumann); Doco de Coco; Memories Of You; Work; Doxy.
Personnel
Fred Hersch
pianoFred Hersch: piano.
Album information
Title: Alone at the Vanguard | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Palmetto Records
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