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Frank Glover: Politico
ByThree ensembles are featured: a quartet, a string orchestra and a 14-piece jazz orchestra. The album opens in fine style with the quartet performing "One Way Ticket." Both Glover and pianist Steve Allee produce strong, inventive solos while bassist Jack Helsley punctuates the number with a five note riff which, though simple and intermittent, becomes the central focus of the piece. The quartet also performs the title track and the 3 movement "Concierto para Quarteto." The "Concierto" opens with an evocative bass solo from Helsley which gradually develops a pulsing rhythm over which Glover and Allee play the delicate and graceful melody. The second movement is more playful, driven by Bryson Kern's skilful brush work, while the final movement begins in a more reflective tone as Allee and Glover take solos and the tune powers to an up-tempo and uplifting finale.
The string orchestra takes over for "The Last Blue Tang" and "A Thousand Ships," both of which are subtitled "music for film." "The Last Blue Tang" begins as a lush ballad, but the orchestra soon begins to sound a more threatening note and Glover's clarinet playing becomes momentarily frantic before the tune ends in a sombre and poignant mood. "A Thousand Ships" is a more traditionally romantic tune, but tinged throughout with an unmistakeable sadness. These are both emotionally affecting tunes which tug at the heartstringsbut neither is destined to accompany a happy ending.
Glover performs "Plastic Plants" with the jazz orchestrait's an ambitious work which succeeds admirably due to Glover's skills as an arranger and composer and to the quality of the musicians. The work echoes George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and film noir soundtracks as it creates and develops a series of soundscapes across its 8 minute length. While Glover's clarinet is again superb, the entire ensemble is in terrific form on this evocative tune.
Frank Glover composed, arranged and produced Politico, as well as contributed his original and creative clarinet playing. The album is an astounding achievementimmediately engaging but with the depth and imagination to rival many far better-known jazz recordings.
Track Listing
One Way Ticket; Politico; The Last Blue Tang; Concierto para Quarteto, Movements 1, 2 and 3; Plastic Plants; A Thousand Ships.
Personnel
Frank Glover
clarinetFrank Glover: clarinet; Steve Allee: piano; Jack Helsley: bass; Bryson Kern: drums. Jazz Orchestra (3,8): Joey Tartell, Jeff Conrad, Loy Hetrick, Jared Rodin, Rick Graef, Kent Leslie, Frank Glover, Jim Farrelly, Tom Meyer, Mike Stricklin, Mark Ortwein, Steve Allee, Jack Helsley, Jonas Oglesbee. String Orchestra (7): Phil Palermo (concertmaster), Larry Shapiro, Dan Rizner, Debbie Rodin, Alfred Abel, Konstantin Umansky, Pam Close, Kara Say-Spurlock, Margaret Dugdale, Jenny Womack, Linda Yu-Picard, Leah Wolfe-Garcia, Mike Strauss, Nancy Agres, Colette Abel, Amy Brandfonbrener, Dennis McCafferty, Marjie Hanna, Nancy Smith, Polina Umansky, Garry Wasserman, Jack Helsley.
Album information
Title: Politico | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Unknown label