Dick Hyman
Mad About The Boys: Plays The Music Of Noel Coward
Music Minus One PR03
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Dick Hyman
September Song: Plays The Music Of Kurt Weill
Music Minus One PR 01
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Dick Hyman
Autumn In New York: Plays The Music Of Vernon Duke
Music Minus One PR 04
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By George W. Harris

Music Minus One, besides putting out excellent play alongs, has been mining the vaults for some excellent reissues, like these obscure solo records by pianist Dick Hyman from the 50s. Hyman has played for just about every mainstreamer, from Goodman to Norvo to Eldridge, and even a number of soundtracks for Woody Allen. He’s got a wonderful touch on these early recordings, almost Artur Rubenstein-esque in his warm and authoritative approach.

Each of the discs are played straight, with minimal extrapolation and rabbit trails, keeping the emphasis on the melody. The Noel Coward piece is the most intriguing, probably because most of these songs have never graced the ears of jazz fans. The most well known, besides the title track, is “You Were There” and maybe “Room With A View.” No matter, the songs have a guileless yet ironic feel to them, and Hyman creates a Tin Pan Alley mood with his treatment of these songs. This could easily be a Music Minus One disc on it’s own merits!

The Kurt Weill release, wisely omits “Mack The Knife,” as it would break the sepia-toned mood of this release. Classics like “Speak Low” and “My Ship” are lined up with more obscure pieces like “It Was Never You” and “This Is New.” Highly reflective music, almost on a plane with Sinatra’s “September Of My Years” in that it’s custom made for late night ruminations. Hyman’s deft phrasing is impeccable. Again, a bunch of these songs beg for revisiting by jazz artists.

Most jazz fans are familiar with Vernon Duke, who probably bought a summer and winter home on just the sales of “April In Paris” and “Taking A Chance On Love” alone. Esoteric pieces here abound, and Hyman makes them stand up quite well on their own; London In July,” “Rio Cristal,” and “I’m Gonna Ring The Bell Tonight” fit right in with “I Can’t Get Started.” More than anything else, this triptych of discs demonstrates the power of good compositions-where are today’s pen-smiths?