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Marc Copland: And I Love Her
ByThe trio mates may change, but the dynamic remains the same: Copland's gorgeous lyricism and shimmering harmonies, his deft piano touch and a feel for the perfectly chosen standardor pop tuneto cover, mixed in a with couple of his own distinctive compositions.
The disc opens with a spooky and off-the-cuff sounding take on Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," covered most famously by saxophonist John Coltrane. Not a planned addition to the set, it evolved from the session warm-up, coalescing out of a rambling bass and drums intro into a dark-hued rumination. The follow-up, Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island," from the composer's Empyrean Isles (Blue Note, 1964), plays out as an engaging and elastic funk groove.
Bassist Gress contributes "Figment" to the program, a piece of exquisite abstraction which fits perfectly into Copland's modus operandi. "Might Have Been" is a classic Copland tune, with a singable melody that sticks in the head, and "Love Letter," written by the late guitarist John AbercrombieCopland's oft times collaboratoris recorded here for the first time (it was a regular part of Abercrombie's live shows)a time-stoppingly beautiful waltz which brings a relaxed joie de vivre to the set.
Copland loves a good pop tunefrom Joni Mitchell, Antonio Carlos Jobim or, here, from The Beatles. "And I Love Her" is one of the Fab Four's earlier, simpler tunes. The trio treats it with reverence, giving it a wistful, wee hours feel, the disc highlight with a harmonization that showcases the beauty of the melody in the loveliest way.
Track Listing
Afro Blue; Cantaloupe Island; Figment; Might Have Been; Love Letter; Day and Night; And I Love Her; Mitzi & Jonny; You Do Something to Me.
Personnel
Marc Copland
pianoMarc Copland: piano; Drew Gress: bass; Joey Baron: drums.
Album information
Title: And I Love Her | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Illusions Mirage
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