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Eric Alexander: With Strings
ByIs Alexander's conversion the start of an enduring love affair or more like a passing fancy? That jury remains out, but a clue may be found in the CD's modest thirty-seven-minute running time. That doesn't speak well for any sort of long-term commitment. Alexander says recording an album with strings has always been a dream of his; now that it has been done, he may presumably revert to his more customary fire-breathing persona. Meanwhile, what he has imparted are five well-crafted ballads (nothing Alexander embarks upon is less than well-crafted): his own melodious theme, "Gently," Henry Mancini's "Dreamsville," Leonard Bernstein's "Some Other Time," Horace Silver's "Lonely Woman" Lew Brown / Ray Henderson's standard, "The Thrill Is Gone," and one slightly more animated number, Mancini's "Slow, Hot Wind."
To carry out his purpose, Alexander has enlisted the support of his working group (David Hazeltine, piano; John Webber, bass; Joe Farnsworth, drums) and a thirteen-member string section plus flute and French horn arranged and conducted by Dave Rivello. Even at these tempos, Alexander's mastery is self-evident, his solos never less than perceptive and engaging. Whether that is enough to please fans of the more hard-blowing Alexander remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: he never gives any endeavor, no matter how far removed from his natural flight path, less than the best he has to offer. He begins "Gently," then eases the tempo even more on the haunting "Dreamsville" and wistful "Some Other Time" before tenderly caressing the alluring "Lonely Woman." The sultry "Slow, Hot Wind" responds warmly to Alexander's persuasion, while "The Thrill Is Gone" affirms one last time his consummate mastery of the ballad style.
As was true on his recent album Leap of Faith (Giant Step Arts, 2019), Alexander seems determined to forswear his comfort zone and traverse new avenues of inspiration. On With Strings he has fulfilled a dream, which means the album will remain close to Alexander's heart no matter how warm or chilly the collective response to it may be.
Track Listing
Gently; Dreamsville; Some Other Time; Lonely Woman; Slow, Hot Wind; The Thrill Is Gone.
Personnel
Eric Alexander
saxophone, tenorDavid Hazeltine
pianoJohn Webber
bass, acousticJoe Farnsworth
drumsAlbum information
Title: With Strings | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: HighNote Records
Comments
About Eric Alexander
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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