Laurence Hobgood – Left To My Own Devices (2000) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Hobgood – Left To My Own Devices (2000)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 59:20 minutes | 1,09 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Naim Records

Piano music is cherished here at Naim Label and we couldn’t believe our luck when Ken Christianson persuaded Laurence Hobgood to make a solo recording for us, which also features the Grammy Award winning vocalist Kurt Elling.
An eclectic mix of tunes is featured on this disc, including ‘Do Nothin’ Til You hear From Me’ written by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, ‘Lovesick Blues’ by Hank Williams and Theloniuos Monk’s ‘Pannonica’.
Hobgood weighs in with ‘The Waltz’ co-written with featured vocalist, the Grammy Award winning Kurt Elling, who sings on this and two other great tracks.
This is a ‘must have’ collection, with something for everyone; beautifully played, sung and recorded and featuring two of the world’s most wonderful instruments – the piano and the human voice.
In 1996 Hobgood joined with Wertico and bassist Brian Torff to form a new trio called Union. Their two releases, both on The Naim Label, were selected as among the top ten jazz recordings of ‘97 and ‘99 by the Chicago Tribune. –Produced by Laurence Hobgood

For Laurence Hobgood’s debut recording as a leader, he has chosen the solo piano format. It’s a challenge for the most skilled of performers, but for the clearly brilliant Hobgood, it all seems as pure and natural as the driven snow of his native Chicago. Ideas easily tumble forth, rearrangements of standards sound renewed and revived, while the original material he plays is infused with a playful intensity and in many instances classical quality. His regular running mate vocalist Kurt Elling appears on four selections as crooner, wise man or surreal romantic soothsayer. Meanwhile it is Hobgood, as impressive a player as there is anywhere, who commands total attention. “It Could Happen to You” is usually played introspectively, but Hobgood infuses it with a buzzing, hyperactive, and minimalist deconstruction, astounding on all levels. Brittle phrases stopped and started, then furiously improvised, is the hallmark for Thelonious Monk’s “Panonica,” and he does fellow Chicagoan Ed Peterson’s “The Vocal Tune” (it’s an instrumental) with a kinetic bounce and truly amazing technique. Not completely bent on pyrotechnics, the pianist uses a lean, horse loping bluesy pace for “Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear from Me,” employs tiny and tender arpeggiated stair step chords for Lerner & Lowe’s “The Heather on the Hill,” is patient and pristine during “Say It” (Over & Over Again), is reverent and hymnal on “The Inconstant Lover,” goes baroque on the David Onderdonk waltz “Cycle,” and is spooky and dark for “Witchcraft.” The songs with Elling range from a pensive “The Waltz,” the classic barroom theme “Goin’ Back to Joe’s,” two-chord song of finality “The Masquerade Is Over,” and the straight boogie “Lovesick Blues” with Elling’s purposefully strained and campy whine. A solid, complete, and whole project fully realized and executed, it’s great to hear Hobgood with and without his bossman Elling, and more so an auspicious debut that should be sought by all fans of contemporary jazz piano. –Michael G. Nastos

Tracklist:
01. Laurence Hobgood – It Could Happen To You (02:35)
02. Laurence Hobgood – The Heather On The Hill (07:01)
03. Laurence Hobgood – Do Nothin’ Til You Hear From Me (04:08)
04. Laurence Hobgood – Panonica (02:40)
05. Laurence Hobgood, Kurt Elling – The Waltz (07:35)
06. Laurence Hobgood – Say It (Over And Over Again) (05:07)
07. Laurence Hobgood, Kurt Elling – Goin’ Back To Joes (04:52)
08. Laurence Hobgood – The Vocal Tune (04:01)
09. Laurence Hobgood – Witchcraft (05:40)
10. Laurence Hobgood – Cycle (03:59)
11. Laurence Hobgood, Kurt Elling – The Masquerade Is Over (04:29)
12. Laurence Hobgood – The Inconstant Lover (04:21)
13. Laurence Hobgood – Lovesick Blues (02:46)

Personnel:
Laurence Hobgood – Steinway D piano
Kurt Elling – vocals (track 5, 7, 11)

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