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Benjamin Drazen: Inner Flights
By Track review of "Polka Dots And Moonbeams"Taken at a snail's pace, Drazen's version of the standard "Polka Dots And Moonbeams" is six minutes and fifty-eight seconds of pure ballad magic. Following Davis's brief introduction, the saxophonist seesaws between a tender rendering of the tune's melody and hearty, effusive locutions. He tugs at the heartstrings and engages the intellect. Later on, his improvisation is more assertive yet never departs from the character of the song. Davis' brief solo makes every note fit into a larger scheme. There's a quiet, understated eloquence in the ways in which chords are lightly struck and sustained. At one point Davis plays a portion of one of the tune's phrases, lets a note hang in the air, and then DeRosa deftly fills in the rest. Throughout the track, Drazen and company make emotionally compelling music that doesn't need to shout to make its point.
Track Listing
Mr. Twilight; Monkish; Prayer For Brothers Gone; Jazz Heaven; Inner Flights; Neeney's Waltz; This Is New; Kickin' Up Dirt; Polka Dots And Moonbeams.
Personnel
Benjamin Drazen
saxophoneBenjamin Drazen: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jon Davis: piano; Carlo De Rosa: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.
Album information
Title: Inner Flights | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records
Comments
About Benjamin Drazen
Instrument: Saxophone
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