DAN ROSE - Last Night…
Ride Cymbal Records: RID-CD-26
Dan Rose (solo guitar)
Recorded in October 2017, NYC
DAN ROSE & CLAUDINE FRANḈOIS -New Leaves
Ride Cymbal Records: RID-CD-33
Dan Rose (guitar) Claudine Francois (piano)
Recorded on New Jersey, October 2019
Although his C/V reveals a productive and well connected career with many big name collaborations to his credit I have to admit to this being my first encounter with the work of guitarist Dan Rose. Happily, this pair of releases from Ride Cymbal has put that unfortunate situation to rights and I am pleased to have this belated opportunity to immerse myself in his considerable talent.
The first of the discs is a solo anthology of timeless songbook melodies which he plays with tasteful restraint without shredding them out of existence, confining his extemporisations to subtle augmentations and variations. His chosen playlist gives us a selection of twelve standards plus two ballad melodies one which is devoted to Ellington tunes. The inclusion of songs like `Tenderly` and `Moonlight in Vermont` inevitably invite comparison with that other master of svelte guitar styling, Johnny Smith, but whilst Rose’s approach has similar full bodied, orchestral ambitions it isn’t as loaded with fructose and could never be accused of `dinner jazz` superficiality.
zz` superficiality.
Ride Cymbal Records: RID-CD-26
Dan Rose (solo guitar)
Recorded in October 2017, NYC
DAN ROSE & CLAUDINE FRANḈOIS -New Leaves
Ride Cymbal Records: RID-CD-33
Dan Rose (guitar) Claudine Francois (piano)
Recorded on New Jersey, October 2019
Although his C/V reveals a productive and well connected career with many big name collaborations to his credit I have to admit to this being my first encounter with the work of guitarist Dan Rose. Happily, this pair of releases from Ride Cymbal has put that unfortunate situation to rights and I am pleased to have this belated opportunity to immerse myself in his considerable talent.
The first of the discs is a solo anthology of timeless songbook melodies which he plays with tasteful restraint without shredding them out of existence, confining his extemporisations to subtle augmentations and variations. His chosen playlist gives us a selection of twelve standards plus two ballad melodies one which is devoted to Ellington tunes. The inclusion of songs like `Tenderly` and `Moonlight in Vermont` inevitably invite comparison with that other master of svelte guitar styling, Johnny Smith, but whilst Rose’s approach has similar full bodied, orchestral ambitions it isn’t as loaded with fructose and could never be accused of `dinner jazz` superficiality.
zz` superficiality.
The second disc sees him paired with an associate with whom he toured during a sojourn in Europe. Claudine François is a classically trained pianist with wide musical interests encompassing free jazz, theatre music, African and Latin American folkloric forms. The fruits of a long musical association are clearly evident in the way they perform the nine pieces which include a pair of originals from each musician demonstrating their gifts of melodic and interpretative invention. Of the standards we have Steve Swallow’s bouncy `Ladies in Mercedes`, a wily `Senor Blues` and `Lawns`, one of Carla Bley’s most appealing melodies which vies with a ravishing take on Mal Waldron’s evocative `The Seagulls of Kristiansand` for heart melting loveliness. But let me reserve special praise for the original compositions: the title track and a haunting ballad entitled `Yes, I Do` are attributed to Rose whilst François contributes an atmospheric piece of impressionism inspired by her visits to Africa and a dedication to the soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy. A blues with interludes of quirky stride it reflects Lacy’s lifetime fascination with and devotion to the music of Thelonious Monk.
Both discs are highly desirable but if you can only manage one the second would come with my most enthusiastic recommendation; you are unlikely to hear anything as beautiful and absorbing this year.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Both discs are highly desirable but if you can only manage one the second would come with my most enthusiastic recommendation; you are unlikely to hear anything as beautiful and absorbing this year.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
