Daniel Bennett: The Deconstructed Songbook

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Daniel Bennett takes on a list of covers for his project The Deconstructed Songbook with surprising results. Joined by drummer Koko Bermejo, Jason Yeager on piano, guitarist Nat Janoff and Jeff Dingler on electric bass, the group feels well-rounded. Though Bennett allows himself one original tune near the beginning, it does not feel out of place beside tracks by Horace Silver or Lennon-McCartney.

For fans of Joni Mitchell who like the song "Both Sides Now" (even if Judy Collins' version is the more popular of the two), Bennett offers a smooth, saxophone-infused arrangement. Though Mitchell notably includes a sax on her 1974 Court and Spark album, Bennett's update fits the overall mellow, if slightly sad, sound of her earlier work. Perhaps the group might have pushed it further (been more innovative with the solos), though such a solid, tightly woven composition can sometimes be difficult to untangle and rework.

"My Shining Hour" by Harold Arlen (perhaps best known for "Over the Rainbow") is another pleasant tune that dances well. One of the longer pieces, the group handles the handoffs nicely, allowing the guitar or sax or piano to shine here and there. Luckily, the tune is easy to play; it is light and airy, allowing the musicians to have a laid-back style. Bennett gives a mellow performance overall, and this solidifies the warm, slightly intimate atmosphere throughout the release. On "Beatrice," though, Janoff and Yeager get the toes tapping. It might be a common thing in standard jazz performances to pass the tune around, but it is what occurs during these switches that make or break the song as a narrative. Unlike some more experimental groups (think more European-style jazz, ECM Records or April Records material), the Daniel Bennett Group is not trying to seek new artistic heights. For the most part, the solos feel balanced, keeping the tune in mind while still subtly exploring musical phrasing.

The team has been playing through 11 albums, and it shows. There is an excellent approachability to these covers and the playing in general. Bennett's own "The Town Supervisor" sways with ease on the sax. The piece might be short, yet it is a good breath between two longer compositions by two exceptional jazz legends. The Deconstructed Songbook does not really deconstruct these tunes so much as add some interesting layers to their foundations. Bennett delivers a fun and energetic show, digging into the past for catchier melodies that lend themselves to his performance style.