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Bill O'Connell: Live In Montauk
ByRandy Brecker launches into "Do Nothing till You Hear From Me," only to give way to Handy, whose descending figure embroiders a sort of montuno. The ensemble then takes the out chorus with everyone getting a taste. "Sparks" is a burner with Craig Handy simply elbowing everyone and everything aside, inviting McConnell to catch up and take off under Billy Hart's insistent prodding. Hart's blistering solo follows. Then Debriano closes matters out. Next comes a very different Latin take on "Moanin." Hard not to like! WWBTD (What would Bobby Timmons do), one thinks? "No Rhyme or Reason" is an O'Connell original, thoughtful, and reflective, an elegant outing which contrasts with "Moanin." It is an ample vehicle for O'Connell's piano stylings, with an intervention from Handy bubbling up once more. Whatever one thinks of "One Finger Snap," it will not recall Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard, which is just fine, even if form and the underlying melody are still there. "Ripty Boom" is by Santi Debriano, a feature which may well blow out the bottom of your sound system, but small matter. It takes an interesting turn after Debriano solos, and someone, in the band perhaps, laughs out loud at the close. Speaking of closing, that would be "Tip Toes," with Brecker and Handy again at some tempo well north of Mach 4. Not that any of these people have anything to prove, but just in case, they do.
O'Connell's program is varied, a bit unconventional, but recognizably very good jazz indeed. There is so much good playing here that it is rather difficult to overstate the case for its excellence. This is one of those sizzling live recordings which inevitably situates post-bop in a New York context. Pity the provincials who wonder what they are, after all, missing. Whatever this recording is, afterglow it is not. Anyone who enjoys a bop rhythm section and a smoking front line will find a lot to like here.
Track Listing
Do Nothing till You Hear from Me; Sparks; Moanin'; No Rhyme or Reason; One Finger Snap; Ripty Boom; Tip Toes.
Personnel
Bill O'Connell
pianoRandy Brecker
trumpetBilly Hart
drumsCraig Handy
saxophoneSanti Debriano
bassAlbum information
Title: Live In Montauk | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Savant Records
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Bill O'Connell
Album Review
Richard J Salvucci
Live In Montauk
Savant Records
Santi Debriano
Billy Hart
Craig Handy
New York City
Dave Valentin
Jerry Gonzalez
Mongo Santamaria
randy brecker