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Nick Perrin Trio: Wes' Side

By Michael P. Gladstone
March 2, 2004
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After tossing all the new jazz guitar CDs against the wall, here's one that definitely sticks. This session, recorded last April in Zurich, is pleasure to listen to. Perrin has a well-rounded articulation on guitar. The notes ring out like those of Pat Metheny, but that is where the similarity ends. While Metheny's playing style reflects a more ambling, free-flowing melody and solo, Perrin charges ahead in a mainstream guitar trio setting like Kenny Burrell.

After a first listen, I was quite surprised to find that these nine tracks were largely originals, with one Clifford Brown and one Sammy Cahn song tossed in. In fact, hearing the opening title song, I was sure that it was a Wes Montgomery piece, replete with his signature octave playing. The other six Perrin originals and one from bassist Giorgos Antoniou had a familiarity that suggested a stack of formidable bebop artists in the composer credits. These melodies consisted of tuneful riffs that wouldn't be out of place on any mainstream jazz radio station playlist. Some examples of the above are "Someday in April," "Is That What You Want My Dear?" and "2 P.M." They fit right in with "Joy Spring" and "I Should Care." Antoniou and Horisberger play crisply thoughout the disc, although a brief opening drum solo unfortunately sounds like it was miked too loudly.

Track Listing

Wes' Side, Someday in April, Cold Rain, Is That What You Want My Dear?, 2 P.M., Joy Spring, Garden Patch, Catch Me, I Should Care.

Personnel

Nick Perrin

Nick Perrin,guitar; Girogos Antoniou,bass; Peter Horisberger,drums.

Album information

Title: Wes' Side | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Brambus Records

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