Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Cyrus Chestnut: Genuine Chestnut
Cyrus Chestnut: Genuine Chestnut
Genuine Chestnut is a mixed bag, though. While there's plenty of fine playing here from the 42-year-old leader and his trio, along with guests Steve Kroon (percussion) and Russell Malone (guitar), the music only occasionally transcends the merely well-played. Only a few of Chestnut's originals—the bebop workout "Mason Dixon Line, the ballad/bossa nova hybrid "Ellen's Song," and the insistent groove of "Baby Girl's Strut —make a lasting impression.
The cover choices, too, leave something to be desired. Chestnut has often successfully merged jazz with pop and R&B influences, but not even his sparkling piano or Malone's inventive guitar licks can make memorable jazz out of Bread's sappy '70s soft-rock hit "If or Roberta Flack's tedious "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. More enjoyable are a trio of inspirational numbers that close the album, especially a moving solo piano take on the traditional hymn "Lord I Give Myself to You.
Track Listing
The Brown Soldier; El Numero Tres; If; Ellen's Song; Mason Dixon Line; Baby Girl's Strut; The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face; Eyes on the Prize; Through the Valley; I'm Walkin'; Lord I Give Myself to You.
Personnel
Cyrus Chestnut
pianoCyrus Chestnut: piano; Michael Hawkins: bass; Neal Smith: drums; Steve Kroon: percussion; Russell Malone: guitar.
Album information
Title: Genuine Chestnut | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Telarc Records
About Cyrus Chestnut
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Cyrus Chestnut Concerts
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
