2012 Top Cds part 2

Working my way through CD's acquired during the first three months of 2012. Here are four more that just didn't make the cut.

Clayton-Hamilton Big Band- Live at MCG
Acquired: Artist's Table
Rating: 82

Some really solid swinging big band. A few moments where I scratch my head. A few tracks I just don't like. One of the tracks I don't like is "Nature Boy". I'll call this reviewer bias. I've never liked that song, instrumentally or otherwise.

What this band does the best is expand on the legacy of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band. In the pocket swing like on "Captain Bill" or blazing through Rhythm choruses on "Eternal Triangle" and "Squatty Roo".

Renee Rosnes-As We are Now
Acquired: Jazz Record Mart
Rating: 87

I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with one of my Twitter friends while he was on the road in Chicago. After lunch we went to kick around at the record mart. I found this side. I said to him: Renee Rosnes, Chris Potter, John Pattituci and Jack DeJohnette. I'm sure this record must suck.

I should have looked a bit closer at the disc, it was a used out-of-print and had a $30 price tag, but I'm glad I have this side. The production does make it sound a bit dated, and it sounds like they recorded Jack's kit in an airplane hangar.

My favorite track on this is the title track. Chris Potter lays out and it's just a beautiful modern composition. I don't have many recording that John and Jack play on. I should seek more out as they are fantastic together.

Charlie Haden and Hank Jones-Steal Away
Charlie Haden and Hank Jones-Come Sunday
Acquired: Amazon
Rating: 85 (each)

I'll cheat and review these together. This is the first time I've actually clicked "add to cart" when I got the "frequently bought together" message. It was very interesting to see the contrasts in the second meeting years later. I feel that Steal Away is a bit looser, in a good way. It comes off as more of a jazz reading. Much of Come Sunday is simple readings of Hymns. Of course, nobody ever sounds better playing in an understated way than Charlie Haden. I don't have an exact measurement, but it seems that Charlie takes more of a lead role on Come Sunday than he does on Steal Away.

So Steal Away- more of an improvised session. Come Sunday, slightly better material selection (totally subjective on my part) and a bit more bass heavy.