Pianist Fred Hersch has been putting out some incredible trio material the past few years. His Village Vanguard set was on everyone’s Top Ten List. He goes back into the studio with his trio of John Hebert/b and Eric McPherson/dr for the first time in four years, and the team sounds fantastic. Hersch’s patented gentle and melancholy touch is in prime form here, shown in all its glory on the solo piece “West Virginia Rose.” The team does some clever working with “You & The Night & The Music” and Hersch’s obligatory tip to Monk on “Let’s Cool One” has an icy warmth. Most of the sounds are subdued and subtle, swinging with wry wit as on “Home Fries” and the title track. As with all things Hersch, ballads reign supreme, with a take of “If Ever I Would Leave You” coming off like a late night aria. The interplay between Hebert and McPherson is coffee house conversational, with each guy taking off where the other leaves. A trio to be reckoned with.
Palmetto Records