Rodney Jones: Dreams and Stories (2005)

This excellent set, which features guitarist Rodney Jones on his melodic originals, blues, ballads, and a few standards, sounds as if it were recorded in 2005 except for one fact. Pianist Kenny Kirkland, who passed away prematurely in 1998, is in the quartet. Surprisingly no date is included in the liner notes, so the 1985 date given for the previously unreleased set is just an educated guess, since it is mentioned that bassist Marc Johnson was new in town at the time of the recording. It is a joy to hear some "new" Kirkland solos but the contributions of Jones, Johnson, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts (who is very subtle throughout) should not be overlooked either. Jones' songs are excellent, with "Blue Days, Blue Dreams" and "While We Dream" in particular being rewarding ballads that should be covered by others. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
1 – Star Eyes – Rodney Jones, DePaul, Gene
2 – Leana’s Song
3 – Happy Blue
4 – The Song Is You – Rodney Jones, Kern, Jerome
5 – Blue Days, Blue Dreams
6 – Five for the Duck
7 – While We Dream
8 – Summertime – Rodney Jones, Gershwin, Ira
9 – Serena
10 – No Time for the Blues
11 – Blues When You Need Them
12 – Road Song – Rodney Jones, Montgomery, J.L.
Personnel:
Rodney Jones (guitar);
Kenny Kirkland (piano);
Marc Johnson (bass instrument);
Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums)
Dreams & Stories
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Jeff 'Tain' Watts: Megawatts (1991)

The reissue of this 1991 session -- Jeff "Tain" Watts' debut as a leader -- in 2004 suggested that the age of the neo-bopping "Young Lions" had already passed into history, and some of its artifacts were coming due for historical reappraisal. The mundane side of the story is that this release couldn't get properly distributed under this name in 1991 due to contractual conflicts, and went out under the title Thunder and Rainbows by the so-called band Jazz from Keystone. In any case, this disc's return on the omnivorous Sunnyside label is a welcome event -- mostly because of the strong playing by a trio of former Wynton-ites but also because it serves as a memorial for the late pianist Kenny Kirkland, who died in 1998. Predictably, for a piano trio session under a drummer's name, Kirkland dominates the session, whether flashing his considerable post-bop chops or displaying a Keith Jarrett-like lyrical bent in Jarrett's own "Rainbow." As a straight-ahead and highly musical if stylistically derivative pianist left mostly to his own devices, Kirkland is very impressive; indeed, this CD is one of the best examples of his work. But Watts and bassist Charles Fambrough are not left in the dust; with Kirkland, they continue the formidable team spirit and intense interplay that they developed in the Wynton Marsalis Quintet of the early '80s. They mix it up particularly well in a favorite Watts potboiler from the period, "The Impaler," as well as in the cha cha-driven groove of Fambrough's "Opal Rose," and they give Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile" a skilled post-bop ride. Only one Tin Pan Alley standard here, "You and the Night and the Music," which the threesome polishes off in a fleet straight-ahead rush. This session has truly transcended its time -- and there are new liner notes containing often valuable recollections by Watts and Fambrough.

Tracklist:

01. Black Nile (6:45)
02. Alycia (6:15)
03. The Impaler (5:42)
04. Rainbow (5:17)
05. Kasploosh (4:50)
06. You And The Night And The Music (5:32)
07. Dance Of The Niblets (7:32)
08. Opal Rose (6:32)
09. Blooski (3:46)
Megawatts
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Jeff “Tain” Watts Quintet: Detained at the Blue Note (2004)

Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts leads his quintet plus guest altoist Kenny Garrett through extended versions of four of his originals (all of which he had recorded previously in the studio) plus Bjцrk's "107 Steps." While "107 Steps" and "JC Is the Man" (which is more Thelonious Monk than John Coltrane) are fine, it is not until Garrett makes his first appearance on "Mr. JJ" (which is more Coltrane than J.J. Johnson) that this set really explodes. Garrett's passion inspires Watts during their midsong duet and adds a great deal of energy during the three songs on which he appears, completely stealing the show. Watts takes a surprise vocal on "Like the Rose" and plays with intensity throughout the performance, but it is Kenny Garrett who makes the music something special; it is a pity that he is not on the first two numbers. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist
1. 107 Steps – Jeff “Tain” Watts, Bjork 13:47
2. JC Is the Man 10:56
3. Mr. JJ 11:54
4. Sigmund Groid 19:03
5. Like the Rose 15:10
Personel
Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums;
Kenny Garrett – alto saxophone;
Dave Kikoski – piano;
Eric Revis – bass;
David Gilmor – guitar;
Marcus Strickland – tenor saxophone
Detained at the Blue Note
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