Once upon a time…
There was a piano trio called The Bad Plus. Founding member and pianist Ethan Iverson left a few years ago, replaced by Orrin Evans. Now, he is gone, and the trio has turned into a quartet, including guitarist Ben Monder and sax/clarinet man Chris Speed along with charter gents Reid Anderson/b and Dave King/dr.
So, what’s the same? Well, the drums are still out front, as on the rocking “Not Even Close To Fall Off” and the somber “You Won’t See Me Before I Come Back”. There’s still a bit of tongue in cheek, with some folksy guitar on “The Dandy” and the band can still get quirky as on the angular “Sun Wall”. Then again, sounds akin to Coldplay take place on “Motivations II” and the angles get sharp on “Sick Fire”. So, is it The Bad Plus Plus, or The Bad Minus? Would The Jazz Messengers still be called that if they played like Joe Bonamassa?