Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » George Cables Trio: Bluesology

George Cables Trio: Bluesology

By Mark Corroto
April 1, 2000
View read count

In the last 15 years, our rush to anoint dozens of twenty-somethings as the new ‘marketable’ heroes of jazz, we have overlooked many master musicians. Recently though, I see that trend reversing. Artists such as Tommy Flanagan, John Lewis, and Hank Jones have signed domestic label recording contracts. With major label signings come their deserved critical acclaim and attention. Let me add to that list of masters deserving attention: Kirk Lightsey, Barry Harris, John Hicks, and George Cables.

Cables, born 1944, has been known domestically as a sideman to the likes of Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson. Perhaps he is best known for and loved as the anchor for alto saxophonist Art Pepper’s return to form. The late seventies to early eighties recordings for Galaxy Records are some of the purest emotion ever captured on record. Like Flanagan, Cables embodies the history of jazz bebop piano. His confident approach to these mostly jazz standards is never labored or tiresome. The trio hands us the now familiar with the respect each composition deserves. But this is jazz and respect can go hand-in-hand with bluesy swing. Take the near-pop hit, Randy Weston’s “Hi-Fly,” a waltz that has a groove so thick it dares you not to dance. Luckily this is the 21st century and all of Cables’ recordings for the Danish label are available stateside.

Track List:In Your Own Sweet Way; Easy Living; There Is No Love; Voodoo Lady; Come Rain Or Come Shine; A Night In Tunisia; Hi-Fly; Bluesology; Ebony Moonbeams; How Deep Is The Ocean.

Track Listing

In Your Own Sweet Way, Easy Living, There Is No Greater Love, Voodoo Lady, Come Rain or Come Shine, A Night in Tunisia, Hi- Fly, Bluesology, Ebony Moonbeams, How Deep Is the Ocean (69:29)

Personnel

George Cables

piano

George Cables- piano, Jay Anderson- bass, Billy Drummond- drums

Album information

Title: Bluesology | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: SteepleChase Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Dave Douglas: Moving the Music Forwa...
< Previous

Seasoned
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.