Harry Allen and Scott Hamilton: 'Round Midnight
Author: Peter Vacher
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Rossano Sportiello (p) |
Label: |
Challenge |
Magazine Review Date: |
November/2012 |
Catalogue Number: |
CR73348 |
RecordDate: |
6-7 February 2012 |
Hearing these two together, like master and pupil, at Norwich recently was a joy. And so it is here. Neither man backs off or defers to the other; instead they go head to head, not like Griffin and Jaws perhaps, simply two peas from the same pod. Hamilton is more laconic; Allen slightly edgier, located somewhere between Webster and Getz, sometimes adding raspy touches for emphasis. Sportiello, today's equivalent to Teddy Wilson as the pianist for all situations, supports admirably, unfurling a series of graceful, lucid solos, never rushed, always soundly constructed.
Opening with a medium paced version of ‘My Melancholy Baby’, Riggs's brushes purring along, it's Harry who solos first before Scott comes in with a characteristically warm-toned improvisation, full of upward flourishes salted by occasional belly notes, Riggs more positive ahead of Sportiello's crisp, subtly re-harmonised solo. Above all, these guys swing, building decent momentum before riding out with the theme. Allen's ‘Great Scott’ is the kind of fast-moving riff that Zoot and Al would have loved to tackle, and prompts each principal to extend their ideas rewardingly over several choruses before the pianist calms things down a bit and the two tenor-men snap at each other's heel in a final joust.
There's more of the same throughout a well-considered programme, a single ballad (‘Round Midnight’) like a jewel among the uptempo things, each man in rewarding form, game for anything. Sixty-six minutes of sustained creativity and wholly pleasurable music making. As they say in the cheesiest of restaurants, enjoy.
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