Norman Simmons • Synthesis

 

Review
by Ken Dryden
Norman Simmons is known for his terrific piano playing, backing singers like Joe Williams and Carmen McRae, but he has recorded sporadically as a leader. This 2002 studio session for Savant is a long overdue chapter in Simmons' golden years, showcasing his talent as a composer and arranger as well. With rising tenor sax star Eric Alexander, and seasoned guitarist Henry Johnson among his supporting musicians, Simmons' playful reworking of "Sweet Georgia Brown" (titled "Georgia's in Town"), and his brisk "Winter's Gone" are excellent vehicles for blowing. His brief trio chart of the Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere" segues into an imaginative funky arrangement of "Eleanor Rigby," a piece that can be dreadfully dull in the wrong hands. Also not to be missed are a trio of works written by Billy Strayhorn, including an extended workout of the normally brief "Lush Life," "A Flower is A Lovesome Thing" (which incorporates an infectious bluesy vamp), and finally, a gently swinging "Something to Live For," which showcases Lisle Atkinson's tasty walking bass. Hopefully this excellent date will induce a follow up recording session.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/synthesis-mw0000661360

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden
Norman Simmons es conocido por su magnífico piano, acompañando a cantantes como Joe Williams y Carmen McRae, pero ha grabado esporádicamente como líder. Esta sesión de estudio de 2002 para Savant es un capítulo largamente esperado en los años dorados de Simmons, mostrando su talento como compositor y arreglista también. Con la estrella emergente del saxo tenor, Eric Alexander, y el experimentado guitarrista Henry Johnson entre sus músicos de apoyo, la juguetona reelaboración de Simmons de "Sweet Georgia Brown" (titulada "Georgia's in Town"), y su enérgica "Winter's Gone" son excelentes vehículos para soplar. Su breve tabla en trío de "Here, There and Everywhere" de los Beatles da paso a un imaginativo arreglo funky de "Eleanor Rigby", una pieza que puede ser terriblemente aburrida en las manos equivocadas. Tampoco hay que perderse un trío de obras escritas por Billy Strayhorn, incluyendo un extenso ejercicio de la normalmente breve "Lush Life", "A Flower is A Lovesome Thing" (que incorpora un infeccioso vampiro de blues), y finalmente, un suave balanceo de "Something to Live For", que muestra el sabroso walking bass de Lisle Atkinson. Esperemos que esta excelente fecha induzca una sesión de grabación posterior.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/synthesis-mw0000661360

Tracks:
1 - Georgia's Town - 7:38
2 - Here There And Everywhere - 1:23
3 - Eleanor Rigby - 7:59
4 - Winter's Gone - 6:22
5 - Lush Life - 8:33
6 - A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing - 4:15
7 - Something To Live For - 6:09
8 - Ramira The Dancer - 6:50
9 - No More - 2:00
10 - You're My Thrill - 6:29

    
Credits:
    Bass – Lisle Atkinson (tracks: 1-8, 10)
    Design – Keiji Obata, Littlefield & Company
    Drums – Paul Wells (3) (tracks: 1-8, 10)
    Engineer – David Baker
    Executive Producer – Joe Fields
    Guitar – Henry Johnson (tracks: 1, 3-8, 10)
    Percussion – Kevin Jones (6) (tracks: 3, 8)
    Photography By – R. Andrew Lepley
    Piano, Leader, Arranged By – Norman Simmons
    Producer – Don Sickler
    Tenor Saxophone – Eric Alexander (tracks: 1, 3-5, 7. 8)

Label: Savant – SCD 2043
Released: 2002
Genre: Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/22722254-Norman-Simmons-Synthesis

 

 

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