NEW YORK TRIO - Thou Swell (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The New York Trio, consisting of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, have created quite a stir in Japan, as they have entered the studio regularly to record for the Japanese Venus Jazz label at the start of the 21st century. Their sixth CD for the label, Thou Swell draws from the songbook of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, a composer/lyricist combo who wrote many songs that became standards. As a result, a number of these songs have been frequently recorded by jazz musicians and seem in danger of overexposure. But Charlap is a thoughtful arranger, playing "My Funny Valentine" complete with the usually omitted verse that sets up the song while playing it at a very deliberate tempo, resulting in a stunningly different take. The pendulum-like introduction added to the breezy "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is fun, as is the lush setting of the infrequently performed "That's for Me." Some pieces can't help but cover familiar ground, but that doesn't detract from these enjoyable performances. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Thou Swell 4'09
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     My Funny Valentine 7'13
Lorenz Hart
3     I Didn't Know What Time It Was 5'18
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4     Where or When 7'45
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     My Heart Stood Still
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     That's for Me 4'12
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7     Have You Met Miss Jones? 3'56
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
8     There's a Small Hotel 4'41
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
9     With a Song in My Heart 6'48
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10     Wait Till You See Her 5'07
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Credits :
Bass – Jay Leonhart
Drums – Bill Stewart
Piano – Bill Charlap