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Fred Hersch: Silent, Listening
ByHersch's follow-up, the unaccompanied Silent, Listening, is also quietly sensational, and sensationally quiet, too. This time out the set list mainly consists of Hersch originals (the covers include lovely readings of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington's "Star-Crossed Lovers" and Sigmund Romberg's "Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise," both played pretty straight). Most of the time, Hersch approaches the keyboard with extreme delicacy, taking gossamer-light flights across the higher reaches of the keyboard. There are times when his touch makes Erik Satie sound almost like John Sousa.
The wonder here, one of them anyway, is that an album as understated and unassuming as Silent, Listening is such a compelling listen from start to finish. But, met halfway, the album holds the listener's attention completely; by no means is it background music, not by a million miles. Instead, it is a sonic detox, balm for the soul, from a player at the top of his game.
Track Listing
Star-Crossed Lovers; Night Tide Light; Akrasia; Silent Listening; Starlight; Aeon; Little Song; The Wind; Volon; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Winter Of My Discontent.
Personnel
Fred Hersch
pianoAlbum information
Title: Silent, Listening | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: ECM Records
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