Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Eliane Elias: Illusions (1987)

Eliane Elias' debut as a leader (she had been a member of Steps Ahead) finds her abandoning the electric keyboards in favor of acoustic piano. On seven songs she is joined by bassist Eddie Gomez and either Al Foster or Steve Gadd on drums; the remaining two selections feature her accompanied by bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White. With harmonica great Toots Thielemans making guest appearances on two numbers, Elias was at the time easily the least-known of the players on her own CD. However the pianist was already far along toward developing her own sound as she shows on four originals, two obscurities, Herbie Hancock's "Chan's Song," Blossom Dearie's "Sweet Georgia Fame" and the standard "Falling in Love with Love." A fine start to a significant solo career.
Tracklist:
1. Choro (4:38)
2. Through The Fire (6:05)
3. Illusions (7:09)
4. Moments (5:53)
5. Falling In Love With Love (6:23)
6. Iberia (10:26)
7. Loco Motif (5:41)
8. Sweet Georgia Fame (5:43)
9. Chan's Song (6:18)
Personnel:
Piano, Producer - Eliane Elias
Bass - Eddie Gomez (tracks: 3 to 9)
Stanley Clarke (tracks: 1, 2)
Co-producer - Christine Martin
Drums - Al Foster (tracks: 4 to 6, 8, 9) ,
Lenny White (tracks: 1, 2)
Steve Gadd (tracks: 3, 7)
Harmonica - Toots Thielemans (tracks: 4, 9)
Written-By - Eliane Elias (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 7)
Illusions
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