Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Amanda Gardier: Empathy
Amanda Gardier: Empathy
ByEach of Gardier's ten originals on Empathy exemplifies her guiding principle to "turn the perceived notion of empathy as a weakness into a strength." The introductory dance of Rob Dixon's honking tenor and Gardier's keening alto on "Revolving Door" is a fanciful duet until guitarist Charlie Ballantine slashes in, breaking the song open for the rest of the bandpianist Clay Wulbrecht, bassist Jesse Whitman and drummer Chris Parkerto add their voices to the conversation, before Dixon and Gardier return for one more pass on the dance floor.
"Fjord" is an enticing bossa nova and a reverby guitarist's dream, as the rhythm section shifts the time ever so slightly. On "Two-Sided," Gardier throws a bright light on bassist Whittman, who has definitely come to play while Dixon, like a voice that doesn't belong but is essential to the dialogue, plays out of time with the band, creating a gauzy yet driven interplay. With the quartet rock ready, the solid closer, "Leap of Faith," rocks to a finish. Her inventive re-imaging of Bjork's idiosyncratic "Joga" finds Gardier soloing where Bjork had strings, before Ballantine takes over and the track ends with Dixon and Gardier trading merrily. As good a tune as "Smoke" is, and as esoteric as vocalist Mina Keohane sounds with her wordless vocal, the track would be improved if it was the leader filling in on flute and/or clarinet.
Which brings us to the one thing to say regarding Gardier's clean writing style: at times it keeps her sax and flute at bay. It would be good to hear her break loose, but perhaps that's what the stage is for, or her future recordings. Until then, Empathy is a debut with a lot of something for everyone. And that in and of itself is no small feat.
Track Listing
Giants; Revolving Door; Fjord; Joga Intro; Joga; Smoke; Two-Sided; Thin Line; What Will Happen; Empathy; Leap of Faith.
Personnel
Amanda Gardier
saxophoneAmanda Gardier: alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; Rob Dixon: tenor saxophone (1,2,5,7,10); Charlie Ballantine: guitar; Jeff Whittman: upright bass; Clay Wulbrecht: piano; Chris Parker: drums; Mina Keonahne: vocals (6, 10).
Album information
Title: Empathy | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Green Mind Records
< Previous
There And Here
Next >
Funchal Jazz Festival 2018
Comments
About Amanda Gardier
Instrument: Saxophone
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To