Here’s the range, breath and width of solo piano. Watch what happens
Roger Davidson is a master at Brazilian sounds. Is he the love child of Tom Jobim or something? He always stumps my friends on Blindfold Tests. Here, he delivers 16 tunes, almost all originals, except for a dreamy “Autumn Leaves” and piano bar -mooded “I Love You.” Other than that, he delivers an enticing “Indiana”ish “Dia Feliz,” a sensuous collection of sambas like “Crianca Feliz” and “Bossa Para Celia” and rich and romantic material like “Amor Brasileiro.” He gives Brazil the blues the thoughtful “Saudade do Brasil” and bounces like the summer rain on “Alegria Brasileira” and the rhythmic “Bossa Para Voce.” Overwhelmingly charming!
Steve Cohn, on the other hand, leans more towards the improvisatory side of things. He’s got 24 tunes here, ranging from 11 seconds to just under 8 minutes, and except for a dark and rumbling read of “Night and Day,” they are all his own. You get whimsy such as “Ireland,” a misty “Iceland” a rambling undercurrent of “Lullaby 729” and a brisk breezy during “Repeachy.” He definitely has bop in his bones, as “Lose Yourself” and “Walking 5” a just a joy to behold, while deep thought and ruminations permeate “Anspruchsvoll” and “Hum Hum.” Music form background and foreground moving back and forth in focus.