BANN: As You Like
ByBlake and Noy are confident and melodic players who engage in some superb unison playing: on the introduction to Anderson's "Will Call" it's at times hard to tell the two instruments apart as Noy's guitar takes on a saxophone-like sound. Elsewhere the two instruments are more readily distinguishable, but Blake and Noy's deft patterns are no less impressive.
Noy is a versatile guitarist, at times stylistically in fusion territory, at others reminiscent of Robert Fripp or drawing on the blues. On "At Sundown," another Anderson tune, Noy takes the lead with some rough-edged, country style slide guitar while Anderson's own fat-toned bass solo adds to the atmosphere of late nights on the range.
Thelonious Monk's "Played Twice" is given a lively arrangement that features excellent performances from Anderson and Nussbaum. The sole group composition, "As You Like," has a loose and slightly old-fashioned "jam band" sound, as does Noy's "Minor Shuffle." They're both light and straightforward tunes but the band's understated performance ensures that they are also entertaining"Minor Shuffle"'s insistently shuffling hook is enjoyably persistent.
Joe Henderson's "Isotope" is given a funky arrangementthanks, especially, to Nussbaumwith Noy creating washes of guitar chords under Blake's tenor saxophone. David Crosby's "Guinnevere" is probably the most surprising song choice on the albumit's also the most delightfully inspired. Blake plays the lead line, his tenor echoing the beauty of Graham Nash and David Crosby's original vocal: Noy's guitar is restrained and subtle, building on the beauty of Blake's emotive performance.
The players who make up BANN have a wealth of talent and experience and it all comes together to make As You Like a fascinatingly eclectic mix of tunes. The musicianship is never less than excellent and the combination of styles is beautifully achieved.
Track Listing
All The Things You Are; Played Twice; Guinnevere; Will Call; Days of Old; As You Like; At Sundown; Minor Shuffle; Isotope.
Personnel
Seamus Blake: tenor saxophone; Oz Noy: guitar; Jay Anderson: double bass; Adam Nussbaum: drums.
Album information
Title: As You Like | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Jazz Eyes
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