Here is a fantastic 2 cd set of a pair of blue collar pianists who worked day in and day out as reliable sidemen, just doing their job of accompanying some leader and providing reliably creative music. Never in the spotlight, neither recorded very much on their own, making this reissue of trio dates even that more endearing and valuable.
Hugh Lawson made his living under the leadership of bands by Yusef Lateef, Charles Mingus and various Mingus alumni. On this ’77 session, he meets up with Bob Cranshaw/b (most known with his work with Rollins) and Ben Riley/dr (ditto Monk). His heart is in the Bud Powell-inspired bebop, but with the added years has included more of a hard bop edge. This collection of originals and jazz tunes includes the intriguing Clifford Jordan piece “The Highest Mountain” as well as Mngus’ thoughtful and searching “The Duke Ellington Sound of Love” . The trio gels like old friends, with Riley’s drums snapping like baseball cards on wheel sprockets. Lawson’s hands are deft, confident and always swinging. You’ll want to put this next to your Hank Jones collection!
Richard Wyand has been hired by everyone from Ella to Hubbard, but spent the biggest chunk of his time with Kenny Burrell. Here, he’s given the leadership of a band consisting of David Lee/dr and Lisle Atkinson/b through a well mixed collection of self penned tunes and jazz delectibles. His own “Yes it Is” and “Leonora” have a nice earthy swing to them, while his glassy touch delves deep into the cracks of JJ Johnson’s “Lament.” He seems to delight most in lyrical pieces and coaxes lovely notes out of “Never Let Me Go” and Duke Ellington’s “Leonora,” while his “Yesterdays” has some haunting chord work. Nothing earth shattering here or world shifting-just great and timeless music that you’ll want to listen to over and over after being thunderstruck by all of the cacophonic posers out there these days.
Storyville Records
www.storyvillerecords.com