Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » William Parker: Luc

William Parker: Luc

By Rex Butters
April 16, 2005
View read count

William Parker's latest trio disc for Thirsty Ear features pianist Eri Yamamato, a classical prodigy who moved to New York, bagged the powdered wigs, and threw herself into jazz head first at the New School. Yamamoto joins the archbassist and drummer Michael Thompson for what must be the most overtly jazz-oriented album in the TE catalogue. Parker's elegant lyricism and earthy romanticism guides these occasionally breathtaking sessions.

"Adena follows a medium tempo groove that keeps the trio time-locked until Parker's solo variations tread the outlands. Yamamoto and Thompson rejoin for the close. The beautiful ballad "Song for Tyler has Yamamoto's gently-nuanced performance underpinned by Parker's inevitable thump on the beat. "Mourning Sunset carries bluesy dread and a slippery double stop in the bass line. Yamamoto deals unisons and chordal variations, thinking orchestrally. Her multi-voiced melodic inventions fill the group sound.

Parker's deep reading of the theme doubles Yamamoto on "Evening Star Song. The pianist gently juggles chords without undercutting the tune's drama. The title track sends the trio hurtling through the brisk theme, all three bearing down to blow into a whirlwind. The tentative delicacy of "Charcoal Flower seems too melodic to be improvised, too bristly to be scored. A fascinating ballad. Parker builds a strong line for Yamamoto's unhurried melodicism.

Luc's Lantern shines a light on William Parker's versatility and uncanny taste, revealing an eminently listenable gem.

Track Listing

Adena; Song for Tyler; Mourning Sunset; Evening Star Song; Luc;s Lantern; Jaki; Bud in Alphaville; Charcoal Flower; Phoenix; Candlesticks on the Lake

Personnel

William Parker

bass

William Parker, bass; Eri Yamamoto, piano; Michael Thompson, drums

Album information

Title: Luc | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Thirsty Ear Recordings

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Live at Glenn Miller Caf
< Previous

Live at the Kerava Jazz Festival
Next >

William Parker Concerts

Oct 18 Sat

Vilnius Jazz 2025: William Parker Heart Trio (USA)

Vilnius Old Theatre
Vilnius, Lithuania

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.