Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The David Restivo Trio: Arancina
The David Restivo Trio: Arancina
ByRestivo's trio, with drummer Alyssa Falk and bassist Jim Vivian, is a propulsion unit. That aspect of their artistry shines on "Train To Catania," the first part of the terrific "Sicilian Suite" which opens the set. The suite itself celebrates the diversity of a land set apart from the surrounding continents, positioned adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, where it has been subject to the influences brought about by historic invasions and migrations, a unique cultural mish-mash that, coming through Resitvo's prism, makes for a sound with a vivacious momentum and unvarnished beautythe clamorous joy of "Palermo Street Scene," the ruminative cerebralism of "Moonlight in Modica," the crispy ebullience of "Arancina."
"Baby Steps" is a Restivo tune based loosely on John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." Given the sound that inspired it, the tune is surprisingly introspective, featuring a time-stands-still vibe, with drummer Falk displaying a fitting Billy Hart-like flutter percussion.
The set includes a pair of vocal interludes, with Fawn Fritzen sitting in with the trio. The singer co-wrote both pieces with Restivo; "Kintsugi" and "Bittersweet Goodbye" are both intimate, like serious conversations across a kitchen table, over cups of coffee; like Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye" or Elvis Costello's "Baby Plays Around," both are heartbreakingly sad in an eloquent way, like the best of sad songs.
Track Listing
Train to Catania; Palermo Street Scenes; Moonlight in Modica; Arancina; Kintsugi; Raven's Wing; Baby Steps; Bittersweet Goodbye; It's You Or No One.
Personnel
Additional Instrumentation
Fawn Fritzen: vocals (5, 8)
Album information
Title: Arancina | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Chronograph Records
Comments
Tags
Dave Restivo
Album Review
Dan McClenaghan
Orange Grove Publicity
Arancina
Chronograph Records
Dexter Gordon
Alyssa Falk
Jim Vivian
John Coltrane
Billy Hart
Fawn Fritzen