KEN PEPLOWSKI & ALAN BARNES - At The Watermill
Woodville WVCD 143
Ken Peplowski ( clt / tnr ) Alan Barnes ( clt / bass clt / alto / tnr / bar ) John Pearce ( pno ) Dave Green ( bass ) Steve Brown ( drs )
Recorded at the Watermill Jazz Club, 11th October 2010
Alan Barnes’ Woodville label continues to attract some of the best of mainstream American players this time it’s clarinet and tenor player Ken Peplowoski. Alan takes out his full armoury of instruments for this session which enables the two frontline musicians to mix and match which brings a multitude of possibilities to the sound of the quintet. The backing trio is about as near perfect as you are likely to find in the UK.
Ken Peplowski is one of those musicians who appeared on the scene along with a host of what is known as the new mainstreamers such as Scott Hamilton and Warren Vache and played in much the same style but later became a little more adventurous without losing his basic style. In Alan Barnes he is teamed with his ideal partner as Alan is capable of playing in man styles.
The album opens with a couple of Horace Silver originals, firstly “Tippin’” which has Ken on clarinet and Alan on baritone. Alan is at his most creative on baritone as it would appear that he he is able to give more thought to his improvising skills because of the nature of the instrument.
Jobim’s “Luiza” is a lovely composition which has both Ken and Alan on clarinet with Alan on the deeper toned bass clarinet which provides a nice contrast with players weaving in and out of each others phrases.
The two clarinet players allude to the melody on Jaun Tizol’s “Perdido” playing in unison before lauching in to their respective solos which Alan switching to tenor. Both John Pearce on piano and Steve Brown on drums get their chance to shine on this number.
There is a nice piano intro to the latin flavoured Luiz Bonfa original “Menina Flor” with Alan on baritone and Ken on clarinet and there is also an inspired piano solo by John Pearce.
Both Ken and Alan are on tenor for “Together” and both have distinct styles with Ken taking the first solo, the rhythm section are at their best on this number and swing along in a highly relaxed manner.
Alan is on alto for the ballad “Some Other Spring” and Ken on clarinet and both players bring out the beauty of the number.
The album closes with a dedication to another clarinet player on the long “Pee Wee’s Blues” with both front line players obviously on clarinet which brings the album to a fitting climax.
There is much to admre on this album with all members of the quintet on top form with a good spread of instrumental variations. This album comes highly recommended in all departments.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Woodville WVCD 143
Ken Peplowski ( clt / tnr ) Alan Barnes ( clt / bass clt / alto / tnr / bar ) John Pearce ( pno ) Dave Green ( bass ) Steve Brown ( drs )
Recorded at the Watermill Jazz Club, 11th October 2010
Alan Barnes’ Woodville label continues to attract some of the best of mainstream American players this time it’s clarinet and tenor player Ken Peplowoski. Alan takes out his full armoury of instruments for this session which enables the two frontline musicians to mix and match which brings a multitude of possibilities to the sound of the quintet. The backing trio is about as near perfect as you are likely to find in the UK.
Ken Peplowski is one of those musicians who appeared on the scene along with a host of what is known as the new mainstreamers such as Scott Hamilton and Warren Vache and played in much the same style but later became a little more adventurous without losing his basic style. In Alan Barnes he is teamed with his ideal partner as Alan is capable of playing in man styles.
The album opens with a couple of Horace Silver originals, firstly “Tippin’” which has Ken on clarinet and Alan on baritone. Alan is at his most creative on baritone as it would appear that he he is able to give more thought to his improvising skills because of the nature of the instrument.
Jobim’s “Luiza” is a lovely composition which has both Ken and Alan on clarinet with Alan on the deeper toned bass clarinet which provides a nice contrast with players weaving in and out of each others phrases.
The two clarinet players allude to the melody on Jaun Tizol’s “Perdido” playing in unison before lauching in to their respective solos which Alan switching to tenor. Both John Pearce on piano and Steve Brown on drums get their chance to shine on this number.
There is a nice piano intro to the latin flavoured Luiz Bonfa original “Menina Flor” with Alan on baritone and Ken on clarinet and there is also an inspired piano solo by John Pearce.
Both Ken and Alan are on tenor for “Together” and both have distinct styles with Ken taking the first solo, the rhythm section are at their best on this number and swing along in a highly relaxed manner.
Alan is on alto for the ballad “Some Other Spring” and Ken on clarinet and both players bring out the beauty of the number.
The album closes with a dedication to another clarinet player on the long “Pee Wee’s Blues” with both front line players obviously on clarinet which brings the album to a fitting climax.
There is much to admre on this album with all members of the quintet on top form with a good spread of instrumental variations. This album comes highly recommended in all departments.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
