John Pizzarelli – John Pizzarelli Trio: Live At Birdland (2xSACD) (2003) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This is a wonderful, warm-hearted, and effortlessly virtuosic live recording by one of the finest living exponents of pre-bop small-ensemble jazz. With pianist Ray Kennedy and bassist Martin Pizzarelli (and on two songs joined by vocalist Grover Kemble), singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli runs through a generally lightweight but thoroughly charming set of standards, homages, funny stories, and the occasional original tune; the fast tunes are light and frothy, the ballads smooth and gentle, and even the moments that are less than utterly inspired work together with the album’s highlights to create a very satisfying whole. John Pizzarelli has a suit sponsor, which tells you something about what to expect of him as a singer: his voice is smooth and warm, offering a nice combination of Chet Baker’s timbre and Dean Martin’s fullness; as a guitarist you need to know that he favors seven-string guitars and flat-wound strings, leading him naturally to a swinging Django Reinhardt-meets-Freddie Green kind of sound. As for the trio’s instrumentation, it’s true that when you can comp with this kind of authority you don’t technically need a drummer. But on a few tracks a drummer would have filled out the band’s sound nicely. Highlights include the group’s fun, slightly greasy take on “Frim Fram Sauce” and a great ode to Art Tatum called “Tea for Tatum,” as well as a fine original blues composition titled “Headed Out to Vera’s.” Pizzarelli’s own “Oh, How My Heart Beats for You” and “Day I Found You” are also wonderful. But the album’s standout track is a limpidly gorgeous rendition of another original, “Better Run Before It’s Spring.” Pizzarelli is obviously having a blast in the intimate setting of the legendary Birdland club, and so will any jazz lover who takes the time to listen. Very highly recommended.

Tracklist:

CD1 #01. Introduction
CD1 #02. Just You, Just Me
CD1 #03. The Frim Fram Sauce
CD1 #04. This Song Is You
CD1 #05. Isn’t It A Pity
CD1 #06. Rhode Island Intro
CD1 #07. Rhode Island
CD1 #08. Ray Kennedy – Library of Congress Story
CD1 #09. Gospel Truth
CD1 #10. Ray Kennedy – Dizzy Gillespie Story
CD1 #11. Tea For Tatum
CD1 #12. James Taylor Intro 1
CD1 #13. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
CD1 #14. James Taylor Intro 2
CD1 #15. Mean Old Man
CD1 #16. Manhattan
CD1 #17. Rosemary Clooney Story
CD1 #18. Moonlight Becomes You
CD1 #19. Final Intro
CD1 #20. Will You Still Be Mine?
CD2 #01. Introduction
CD2 #02. Three Little Words
CD2 #03. They Can’t That Away From Me
CD2 #04. Oh How My Heart Beats For You
CD2 #05. The Day I Found You
CD2 #06. Polliwog Story
CD2 #07. It’s Only A Paper Moon
CD2 #08. Stompin At The Savoy
CD2 #09. Better Run Before It’s Spring
CD2 #10. Grover Kemble Story
CD2 #11. Headed Out To Vera’s
CD2 #12. Baby Medley
CD2 #13. I Like Jersey Best Intro
CD2 #14. I Like Jersey Best
CD2 #15. My Castle’s Rockin’
CD2 #16. Baby Just Come Home To Me