The Lost Melody: New Songs for Old Souls

The Lost Melody is not the title of a new CD, but the name of a piano trio that has been together for two decades producing three previous albums to their credit. This 2020 release is entitled New Songs for Old Souls, offering a collection of ten original songs in the tradition and style of music from the Great American Songbook.

Band members pianist Joe Davidian, bassist Jamie Ousley and drummer Austin McMahon have evolved in several ways over a twenty-year period. First, from playing under a leader to performing as a true collective, prompting the renaming of the trio. Second, after playing wonderful, accessible melodies and harmonies of music from widely-known standards to focusing on original music that embraces similar melodies of a past era and presenting them in new light.

Accordingly, it is no wonder why the title of this album seems so appropriate: new songs (similar to past standards) for "old souls," referring to those—most probably more mature folks—with an affinity to time-honored standards. Whether young or old, one thing is certain, the music penned and performed here is beautiful and appealing to jazz audiences of any age.

Davidian writes the majority of the songs on this album (six total), including the up-tempo and perky opener "Leaving Montserrat." This is followed by the McMahon's enchanting "Sol." Having an affinity for jazz waltzes, bassist Ousley contributes two waltz-tinged songs with "A Minor Waltz" and "A Sea of Voices," taken from his 2012 release of the same name.

One of the highlights of the set is the pianist's tune "Ready or Not," followed by a couple of additional Davidian originals including "Before I Forget," recorded live, the only non-studio piece on the album and a tune where the piano man and the bassist are prominent.

The music comes to a close on two warm and gentle ballads with "If I Didn't Need You," and "Sometime, Somehow," revealing McMahon on light brushes, the pianist on soft key work and the bassist providing the foundation on the bow and in support of gorgeous melodies designed for moments of emotion and love.

No standards here, only facsimiles thereof in new elegant melodies that "reach back to the past to create new sounds for the present," as the press clipping states. The world-class artists that comprise The Lost Melody deliver an amazing musical experience on the elegant and graceful New Songs for Old Souls, presenting music with melodies all souls should enjoy and appreciate.