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David Liebman / Roberto Tarenzi / Paolo Benedettini / Tony Arco: Dream of Nite
ByWhile Liebman and his longstanding American group continued to forge ahead with its remarkable exploration of the depth and breadth of the blues on Blues All Ways (OmniTone, 2007), Dream of Nite is a decidedly more mainstream affair. Still, the emphasis is on original material, with the exception of a gently swinging take on Miles Davis' "Fran-Dance."
Straight-ahead it may be, but the energy and invention that have defined Liebman's work over the past four decades are immediately apparent from the opening notes of pianist Roberto Tarenzi's Latin-esque modal workout, "Unsteady." One of two tracks featuring Liebman on tenor (the other being his own knotty title track, a nod to the cerebral writing of Wayne Shorter), it's a complex chart that takes little time getting to the heart of the matterLiebman's visceral and Tarenzi's more gradually built solos, both bolstered by bassist Paolo Benedettini and drummer Tony Arco's powerfully responsive support.
Liebman has long been considered the torch-bearer for John Coltrane's unfettered expressionism, especially on soprano saxfor which Liebman is a rarity in that it's more often than not his primary axe rather than a doubling instrument. The intrepid spirit of Coltrane looms large, but Liebman's always had his own distinctive voice, possessing a warmer, less nasally tone on soprano and, while certainly capable of approaching Coltrane's "sheets of sound," more attentive to the importance of space and breath. His extended solo on Antonio Arcodia's sixteen minute "Feel" demonstrates a rare ability to be endlessly inventive over the long haul, with ears remaining wide open and an uncanny ability to bring near-vocal expressiveness to his instrument.
Liebman may only work with this trio on occasion, but it's clear they've spent considerably more time together, especially on the "time, no changes" of Tarenzi's "En Noir," where the communication is less direct, but deeply felt throughout. Benedettini's solo at the top of Liebman's dark ballad, "Tomorrow's Expectations," hints at the equally spare treatment given by all, with Liebman delivering his most lyrical solo of the set and Tarenzi demonstrating a harmonic richness reminiscent of British pianist John Taylor.
Dream of Nite is the kind of record, featuring a well-known American artist with lesser-known Europeans, that should see North American release, but rarely does, especially from a major label like Verve. With an album this good, let's hope there are more to come.
Track Listing
Unsteady; Feel; Fran-Dance; En Noir; Tomorrow's Expectations; Dream of Nite.
Personnel
Dave Liebman
saxophoneDave Liebman: tenor and soprano saxophones, recorder intro (2); Roberto Tarenzi: piano; Paolo Benedettini: double-bass; Tony Arco: drums.
Album information
Title: Dream of Nite | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: EmArcy
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