DOUG RANEY & NIKOLAI GROMIN – There Will Never Be Another You
Stunt Records: STUCD18062
Doug Raney (guitar) Nikolai Gromin (guitar). Recorded at Sabine’s Cafeteria, Copenhagen in 1993
Guitar duos can be a bit sleep inducing if taken at a single stretch, the uniformity of timbre and the steady harmonic pulse tending to dull the perceptive faculties. I suppose that’s what makes them a popular musical vehicle as a background to drinking and dining activities. That, however, in spite of being recorded in an eatery, doesn’t happen here because the musicians involved are possessed of a huge virtuosic ability and the lively audience are clearly revved up by their talent and keen to hear the brand of jazz purveyed.
Doug Raney is of course the son of better known Jimmy who graced numerous sessions under own name and as a sideman to many of the most illustrious figures in jazz. Doug eventually got to record with Jimmy before the latter’s death and continued to maintain an allegiance to his father’s uncomplicated straight ahead swing and bop stylings upon moving to Europe in 1977. Signing with Steeplechase Records and touring widely brought him into contact with many visiting Americans with whom he worked or recorded as well as an association with Gromin, who bore the distinction of being the first Russian jazz musician to record outside his native country, and together they became much admired figures on the Copenhagen scene.
Both guitarists are in harmony in terms of their musical predilections and the bulk of the programme is given over to their inquisitive but sensitive examination of song book and modern jazz standards with both instruments clearly differentiated by tone and channel separation, the music proceeding with a seamless flow as the the pair trade solos and share the harmonic and rhythmic chores. They open and close the set with original compositions; Raney’s piece, a bright swinger, and Gromin’s, a medium paced blues dedicated to Thad Jones, a previous employer. Of the ballads there is seductive, insinuating take on that beautiful tune `Estate` - such a popular piece with guitarists – but for out and out vitality and effervescent drive their version of `Nardis` is the highlight of the set.
It is sad to learn that neither musician is still alive and that they recently died within 9 months of each other which makes this issue a particularly valuable and poignant testimony to their collective talent, not least their commitment to that style of modern jazz guitar that existed before the influence of Hendrix and other rock musicians began to permeate the music. There will never be another Raney and Gromin but the tradition they venerated will hopefully never die as long as a younger generation of players have access to recordings as good as this.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Stunt Records: STUCD18062
Doug Raney (guitar) Nikolai Gromin (guitar). Recorded at Sabine’s Cafeteria, Copenhagen in 1993
Guitar duos can be a bit sleep inducing if taken at a single stretch, the uniformity of timbre and the steady harmonic pulse tending to dull the perceptive faculties. I suppose that’s what makes them a popular musical vehicle as a background to drinking and dining activities. That, however, in spite of being recorded in an eatery, doesn’t happen here because the musicians involved are possessed of a huge virtuosic ability and the lively audience are clearly revved up by their talent and keen to hear the brand of jazz purveyed.
Doug Raney is of course the son of better known Jimmy who graced numerous sessions under own name and as a sideman to many of the most illustrious figures in jazz. Doug eventually got to record with Jimmy before the latter’s death and continued to maintain an allegiance to his father’s uncomplicated straight ahead swing and bop stylings upon moving to Europe in 1977. Signing with Steeplechase Records and touring widely brought him into contact with many visiting Americans with whom he worked or recorded as well as an association with Gromin, who bore the distinction of being the first Russian jazz musician to record outside his native country, and together they became much admired figures on the Copenhagen scene.
Both guitarists are in harmony in terms of their musical predilections and the bulk of the programme is given over to their inquisitive but sensitive examination of song book and modern jazz standards with both instruments clearly differentiated by tone and channel separation, the music proceeding with a seamless flow as the the pair trade solos and share the harmonic and rhythmic chores. They open and close the set with original compositions; Raney’s piece, a bright swinger, and Gromin’s, a medium paced blues dedicated to Thad Jones, a previous employer. Of the ballads there is seductive, insinuating take on that beautiful tune `Estate` - such a popular piece with guitarists – but for out and out vitality and effervescent drive their version of `Nardis` is the highlight of the set.
It is sad to learn that neither musician is still alive and that they recently died within 9 months of each other which makes this issue a particularly valuable and poignant testimony to their collective talent, not least their commitment to that style of modern jazz guitar that existed before the influence of Hendrix and other rock musicians began to permeate the music. There will never be another Raney and Gromin but the tradition they venerated will hopefully never die as long as a younger generation of players have access to recordings as good as this.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
