US4: My Scandinavian Blues: A Tribute To Horace Parlan
Stunt Records STUCD 16012
Tomas Franck: tenor saxophone; Thomas Clausen: piano; Jimmi Roger Pedersen. bass, Adam Nussbaum: drums; Sinne Egg: vocal
This is a strange album. It is not just a CD but a DVD also. Horace Parlan moved to Denmark in 1972. He died in February this year. He left behind a career in the USA that included time with Mingus and many sessions as a leader. His unique style influenced by the fact that he had polio as a child giving one hand that had limited movement. His response was to develop techniques that were percussive and imaginative.
Unfortunately, Parlan played little in recent years but all the pieces on the CD are written by Parlan. He saw The Scandinavian Blues album as a way of passing something on to the musical culture of his adopted country. There is a hope that money raised by the album will be able to support young musicians.
The album is accompanied by a DVD with videos that tell the Parlan story through images. It is not entirely successful. The composition ‘Arrival’ has images of a plane and scenes at an airport. The most interesting part is the filming of the recording session that features the musicians: pianist Thomas Clausen, drummer Adam Nussbaum, bassist Jimmi Roger Pedersenand saxophonist Tomas Franck. The music covers from 1960 to 1999 including the time that Parlan recorded for Blue Note. There is also material composed in Denmark. A song ‘Norma’ dedicated to Parlan’s wife is sung by Sinne Eeg. Eeg also sings another Parlan-composition: ‘Little Esther.’
The music is conventional modern bop. Adam Nussbaum drives the music hard and tenor player Tomas Franck makes no secret of his influences. Bass player Jimmie Roger Pedersen played for many years with Parlan. Thomas Clausen plays the Parlan role.
This is a beautifully designed package. The art and the motive behind the project are praiseworthy. However, there is something deeply unsatisfying about it. Does it really capture the essence of the uniqueness of Parlan? No, it does not.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
Stunt Records STUCD 16012
Tomas Franck: tenor saxophone; Thomas Clausen: piano; Jimmi Roger Pedersen. bass, Adam Nussbaum: drums; Sinne Egg: vocal
This is a strange album. It is not just a CD but a DVD also. Horace Parlan moved to Denmark in 1972. He died in February this year. He left behind a career in the USA that included time with Mingus and many sessions as a leader. His unique style influenced by the fact that he had polio as a child giving one hand that had limited movement. His response was to develop techniques that were percussive and imaginative.
Unfortunately, Parlan played little in recent years but all the pieces on the CD are written by Parlan. He saw The Scandinavian Blues album as a way of passing something on to the musical culture of his adopted country. There is a hope that money raised by the album will be able to support young musicians.
The album is accompanied by a DVD with videos that tell the Parlan story through images. It is not entirely successful. The composition ‘Arrival’ has images of a plane and scenes at an airport. The most interesting part is the filming of the recording session that features the musicians: pianist Thomas Clausen, drummer Adam Nussbaum, bassist Jimmi Roger Pedersenand saxophonist Tomas Franck. The music covers from 1960 to 1999 including the time that Parlan recorded for Blue Note. There is also material composed in Denmark. A song ‘Norma’ dedicated to Parlan’s wife is sung by Sinne Eeg. Eeg also sings another Parlan-composition: ‘Little Esther.’
The music is conventional modern bop. Adam Nussbaum drives the music hard and tenor player Tomas Franck makes no secret of his influences. Bass player Jimmie Roger Pedersen played for many years with Parlan. Thomas Clausen plays the Parlan role.
This is a beautifully designed package. The art and the motive behind the project are praiseworthy. However, there is something deeply unsatisfying about it. Does it really capture the essence of the uniqueness of Parlan? No, it does not.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
