Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » We Three: Three for All
We Three: Three for All
There's an incredible variety of moods on Three for All, which combines originals by each member with standards. Their individual compositions are excellent, but the group shines on the chestnuts. The spare arrangement of "Played Twice" perfectly captures Monk's ineffable essence. There's nice electric bass work by Swallow, who gets lots of solo space, and Liebman cuts loose on his solo but otherwise plays the melody's bones.
A deep version of "I Only Have Eyes for You" expresses the romantic heart of the song with nary a drop of doo-wop sappiness. Liebman is gently emotive, Swallow spare and lyrical, and Nussbaum delightfully precise. The highlight is their version of Miles' "All Blues." Swallow plays a funky bass line, giving the song a wonderful lift; Liebman finds the melodyâ's slippery slope; and Nussbaum gets ample time front and center, his rhythmic patterns a joy to behold.
What a pleasure to hear beautiful music played so joyfully and masterfully. A lot of life has gone into this recording, and the result is jazz full of originality, plus grateful acknowledgment to the old masters from three new ones.
Track Listing
What Time Is It; Played Twice; We 3; Up and Adam; The Jewish Warrior; Whistling Past the Graveyard; I Only Have Eyes for You; Cycling; All Blues; The Start of Something Small; BTU.
Personnel
Dave Liebman: saxophones, flutes; Steve Swallow: electric bass; Adam Nussbaum: drums.
Album information
Title: Three for All | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Challenge Records
About We Three
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
