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Jo-Yu Chen: Stranger
ByWith the exception of the traditional Chinese "Happy New Year," it's an all-original album, and Chen has taken her tune-smithing skills to a new level, beginning with "Mon Cher," a wistful ruminationmaybe there was loss involved in the creative inspiration. "Wolfman" has a dark/light dynamic, and showcases Chen's distinctive and exceptional trio-mates, bassist Christopher Tordini and drummer Tommy Crane.
Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel sits in on three tunes, and his simpatico with Chen and the trio rises to the level of magic. "Castle" begins with the mode of an insistent, dirge-like groove/military march. Chen's piano spikes an interlude of sharp notes, then the guitar sings into a solo, sounding not like a guitar at all initially, sounding more like some kind of inspired horn, a celestial reed/brass hybrid, otherworldly and searing.
Chen says the disc's title tune refers to two types of strangers: former strangers who have come into her life, and people who were in her life and no longer are. She also certainly finds herself at times in the "stranger" status as an Taiwanese jazz musician in New York City. The tune is thoughtful and deliberate, hauntingly beautiful, with Chen displaying a supple touch beneath an assurance and strength in her solo that, like many of her compositions, speaks to unwaving determination.
In a part of Chen's soulincomplete or notresides a rocker. On My Incomplete Soul it showed itself on "Follow Me." On Stranger, it's "The Pirate," with Rosenwinkel's scorching guitar, Tordini's seething bass lines and Crane's snapping drum bustle, the trio plus one rocks with an invigorated energy.
Jo-Yu Chen, with her inspired pianism and her originalityas a tune-smith and an instrumentalistis poised to rise above the dozens of very talented young players into the ranks of the elite group of piano trio artists.
Track Listing
Mon Cher; Wolfman; Castle; Fragments; Stranger; The Pirate; Interlude; Song for Ryder; Happy New Year; Art of Darkness; Foliage at Night.
Personnel
Jo-Yu Chen
pianoJo-Yu Chen: piano; Christopher Tordini: bass; Tommy Crane: drums; Kurt Rosenwinkel: guitar (3, 6, 10)
Album information
Title: Stranger | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Okeh
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Jo-Yu Chen
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan McClenaghan
Okeh
United States
New York
New York City
Christopher Tordini
Tommy Crane
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Stranger