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Houston Person: Reminiscing at Rudy's
ByThat is not to say the veteran tenor saxophone maestrowho has recorded almost seventy albums as leader of his own groups- -is not comfortable or creative at other tempos, as he shows, for example, on Cole Porter's medium-paced "At Long Last Love," Henry Mancini's usually placid "Moon River" (presented here as a danceable foxtrot) and his own well-grooved finale, "Reminiscing at Rudy's." The truth is, Person is relaxed and confident in any milieu; he simply has a fondness for sensuous and warm-hearted love songs, and summons forth the utmost warmth and affection each of them has to offer.
As usual, Person is supported by a blue-chip rhythm section whose members are guitarist Russell Malone, pianist Larry Fuller, bassist Matthew Parrish and drummer par excellence Lewis Nash who even sings possibly a first for him, at least on recordon Marvin Fisher's "Nothing Ever Changes My Love for You," which was written for another pretty fair vocalist, Nat King Cole. While he is clearly no Colenor would he claim to beNash's smooth, even-tempered baritone is surprisingly good. He may have hit upon an unforeseen side gig.
Even though he is the session's unequivocal guiding light, Person gives everyone a chance to shine, and there are perceptive solos along the way by Fuller, Parrish and Malone, whose easygoing designs mirror Person's and enhance the group's fraternal mood. The most welcome ballad in these quarters is Lionel Newman's too-seldom-heard "Again," an exquisite melody first sung by Ida Lupino in the 1948 film noir, Roadhouse. The others include Paul Anka's "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," Herbert Martin's "Why Did I Choose You," Rodgers and Hart's "My Romance," Cedar Walton's "I'll Let You Know" and Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love."
Person, now nearing his eighty-eighth year, shows no sign of slowing down, playing with the awareness and unerring mastery of someone many years his junior. To put it another way, he is simply quite good at what he does, and what he has been doing for most of his adult life. Reminiscing at Rudy's is yet another melodic milestone in Person's long and impressive career.
Track Listing
At Long Last Love; Again; Moon River; Put Your Head on My Shoulder; Why Did I Choose You; Nothing Ever Changes My Love for You; My Romance; I’ll Let You Know; Please Send Me Someone to Love; Reminiscing at Rudy’s.
Personnel
Houston Person
saxophone, tenorRussell Malone
guitar, electricLarry Fuller
pianoMatthew Parrish
bassLewis Nash
drumsAlbum information
Title: Reminiscing at Rudy's | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: HighNote Records
Comments
About Houston Person
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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