Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sean McGowan: Sphere

111

Sean McGowan: Sphere

By

Sign in to view read count
Sean McGowan: Sphere
For many jazz lovers, pianist Thelonious Monk's solo recordings of his own compositions are an exquisite pleasure. The simplicity of a single instrument reveals the compositions' elegant architecture, allowing their angular beauty to become refreshingly clear. The challenge and joy of recording Monk's music solo continues to entice musicians, thus creating afresh some of the twentieth century's most enduring artworks.

Guitarist Sean McGowan pays homage to Monk on Sphere, titled after Monk's unique middle name. McGowan has drawn praise for his two previous releases, including winning the Best Independent Release Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 2002. He is currently based in Colorado, playing on the Front Range music scene and helping to raise the next generation of jazz musicians as part of the University of Colorado's thriving Music Performance Department.

On Sphere, McGowan keeps things simple, offering ten Monk tunes on solo guitar, recorded in a studio with no overdubbing. The track list is like looking at a menu and seeing all your favorite foods ("Blue Monk," "Ruby, My Dear," 'Round Midnight"), plus a few dishes you don't know well but are happy to try ("Light Blue," "North of the Sunset"). Monk's tunes can certainly be played loud and swinging—witness "Bemsha Swing" from the classic Brilliant Corners (Riverside, 1957)—but McGowan's interpretations are tender and thoughtful, glowing with warmth and infinite care. He is exquisitely tasteful throughout, remaining true to the melodies while adding colorful textures, including harp-like interludes and occasional sprinklings of dissonance. There's an intimate feel to the CD that's quite appealing, and the consistency of tone and mood creates an ambience that's both lovely and luminous.

According to Robin D. G. Kelley's comprehensive biography Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original (Free Press, 2009), Monk fought many battles during his lifetime, including racism and mental illness. Yet amid the external and internal chaos, Monk created great beauty, including the ten compositions on this CD. Monk's songs are an indelible part of music history, and works such as Sphere are exactly how this music continues: an artist falls in love with these tunes, then brings them forward so others can fall in love with them, too. McGowan has created an immensely pleasing CD, a gentle work of art that allows both himself and Monk to shine.

Track Listing

Blue Monk; Rhythm-A-Ning; Bye-Ya; Ruby, My Dear; We See; 'Round Midnight; Trinkle Tinkle; North of the Sunset; Light Blue; Crepuscle With Nellie.

Personnel

Sean McGowan: guitar.

Album information

Title: Sphere | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.