Adam Birnbaum: Travels
The dissonant, yet melodically soothing "Three for One" delightfully showcases Birnbaum's ability to be musically derivative, while still maintaining a fresh voice. The haunting chordal interplay on the drum/piano exchange delivers edge of your seat excitement. Robert Schumann's "Hor' Ich Das Liedchen Klingen" is an exquisite treat on this album. Taking the late composer's waltz, Birnbaum has transformed a piece of classical tradition into a swinging jazz ballad. Simultaneously, it woos over the best of sentimental listeners, while revealing a sought after technical proficiency in the pianist's lines.
Birnbaum's piano playing is a fine display of what a beautiful blend of technical mastery, originality, and respect for those that came before, can achieve. Travels presents extremely catchy, intellectually pleasing compositions, performed by a musician who has nowhere to go but up if he continues to rise to such acoustically profound endeavors.
Track Listing
Jackhammer; Kat's Dance; Three for One; Kate the Great; Travels; Band Call; Song of Those Who Seek; House Party Starting; Hor' Ich Das Liedchen Klingen; Urgency; The Very Thought of You; Camden.
Personnel
Adam Birnbaum: piano; Joe Sanders: bass; Rodney Green: drums.
Album information
Title: Travels | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Smalls Records
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Instrument: Piano
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