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Cyrus Chestnut: Cyrus plays Elvis
"Hound Dog is a blues, the common ground between jazz and rock. However, like most jazz musicians Cyrus Chestnut doesn't just stay in the home tonality, instead arranging this blues so that it travels through other areas to display his formidable piano chops. "Love Me Tender is presented in jazz waltz style and is reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi's approach: on the surface, simple and charming, but requiring a lot of finesse and skill. On "It's Now or Never Chestnut stretches out and enjoys the empathic playing of Dezron L. Douglas (bass) and Neal Smith (drums); both perfect accompanists throughout the recording.
There are moments of schmaltz however, especially on "Can't Help Falling in Love and "Don't, where guest saxophonist Mark Gross seems to be channeling Kenny G. The closing track, "How Great Thou Art, is an old hymn heard in churches all over the world but the fact that Elvis also performed it is totally forgotten because Chestnut plays it as a solo piano piece, with simplicity and deep feeling. The concept of this CD may not be your cup of tea, but you can't say this guy isn't a great pianist.
Track Listing
Hound Dog; Don
Personnel
Cyrus Chestnut
pianoCyrus Chestnut: piano: Fender Rhodes; Dezron L. Douglas: bass; Neal Smith: drums; Mark Gross; soprano and alto saxophones (3, 6).
Album information
Title: Cyrus plays Elvis | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: KOCH International Jazz
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September 2007
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CYRUS CHESTNUT
CD/LP/Track Review
Francis Lo Kee
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
KOCH International Jazz
United States
New York
New York City
Cyrus plays Elvis