Houston Person • Nice ‘n’ Easy

Even though Houston Person isn't, strictly speaking, a "Texas tenor"—he hails from Florence, SC—the crafty veteran hits the mark in almost every other respect, from his clear and powerful sound to his unremitting propensity to brighten a melody and to swing under any and all conditions. On his latest album, Person, still marshaling all the right notes at age seventy-eight, is said to be taking it Nice 'n' Easy, but that's anyone's guess, as he makes what he does sound easy no matter how intense or heated the surroundings.

While the spotlight shines brightest on the leading man, his supporting cast should not be overlooked, and Person has assembled a superior team for this largely even-tempered session, starting with the tasteful pianist John di Martino and including (on several tracks) vibraphonist Chuck Redd, the reliable bassist Ray Drummond and drummer par excellence Lewis Nash. Di Martino, Drummond and Nash have been Person's backup trio of choice for several years, and in tandem with Redd they see to it that the leader's every step is beyond question nice 'n' easy. It's good that Person is a charming balladeer, as half the songs on offer ("All My Tomorrows," "It's All in the Game," "If It's the Last Thing I Do," "Ill Wind," "Sweet Life") abide in that realm. Person unsheathes the luster in each of them, as he does the more hurried numbers ("Someday You'll Be Sorry," "Stolen Sweets," "Nice 'n' Easy," Let's Fall in Love," "Bluesology").

While nothing here is less than admirable, the standards by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler ("Ill Wind," "Let's Fall in Love") are especially engaging, mainly because they are simply marvelous compositions. On the other hand, it's hard to find fault with any of the others, in particular Sammy Cahn / Jimmy van Heusen's "All My Tomorrows," Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "Nice 'n' Easy" or Milt Jackson's "Bluesology" (like those Texas tenors alluded to earlier, Person has always been a bluesman at heart).

Those who have heard Houston Person before will know pretty much what to expect from Nice 'n' Easy; those who haven't are in for a pleasant ride. Even though Person never strays from conventional norms, neither does he undervalue the music or its import, lending every tune the full measure of his attentiveness and ardor.

By JACK BOWERS

November 7, 2013

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/nice-n-easy-houston-person-highnote-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php?width=1280

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Aunque Houston Person no es, en sentido estricto, un "tenor de Texas" - es de Florence, SC - el veterano astuto da en el blanco en casi todos los demás aspectos, desde su claro y poderoso sonido hasta su incesante propensión a iluminar una melodía y a balancearse bajo cualquier condición. En su último álbum, Person, que a los setenta y ocho años sigue reuniendo todas las notas adecuadas, se dice que se lo toma con calma, pero eso es algo que cualquiera puede adivinar, ya que hace que lo que hace suene fácil sin importar la intensidad o el calor del entorno.

Aunque el protagonista es el que más se destaca, no se debe pasar por alto su reparto, y Person ha reunido un equipo superior para esta sesión, que en gran parte es de buen gusto, comenzando por el pianista John di Martino e incluyendo (en varios temas) al vibrafonista Chuck Redd, el confiable bajista Ray Drummond y el baterista por excelencia Lewis Nash. Di Martino, Drummond y Nash han sido el trío de respaldo de Person durante varios años, y junto con Redd se encargan de que cada paso del líder sea sin duda agradable y fácil. Es bueno que Person sea un baladista encantador, ya que la mitad de las canciones que se ofrecen ("All My Tomorrows", "It's All in the Game", "If It's the Last Thing I Do", "Ill Wind", "Sweet Life") permanecen en ese ámbito. La persona desenvaina el lustre en cada uno de ellos, mientras hace los números más apresurados ("Algún día te arrepentirás", "Dulces robados", "Bonito y fácil", "Enamorémonos", "Bluesología").

Aunque nada aquí es menos que admirable, los estándares de Harold Arlen y Ted Koehler ("Ill Wind", "Let's Fall in Love") son especialmente atractivos, principalmente porque son simplemente composiciones maravillosas. Por otro lado, es difícil encontrarle fallas a cualquiera de las otras, en particular a "All My Tomorrows" de Sammy Cahn / Jimmy van Heusen, "Nice 'n' Easy" de Alan y Marilyn Bergman o "Bluesology" de Milt Jackson (como aquellos tenores de Texas a los que se aludió anteriormente, Person siempre ha sido un bluesman de corazón).

Aquellos que han escuchado Houston Person antes sabrán más o menos qué esperar de Nice 'n' Easy; los que no lo han hecho están en un agradable paseo. Aunque Person nunca se aparta de las normas convencionales, tampoco subestima la música o su importancia, prestando a cada canción toda la medida de su atención y ardor.

Por JACK BOWERS

7 de noviembre de 2013

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/nice-n-easy-houston-person-highnote-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php?width=1280

Tracks:
01. Someday You’ll Be Sorry – 5:47
02. All My Tomorrows – 5:37
03. Stolen Sweets – 5:01
04. It’s All in the Game – 4:06
05. Nice ‘n’ Easy – 5:42
06. If It’s the Last Thing I Do – 7:02
07. Ill Wind – 5:51
08. Let’s Fall in Love – 3:53
09. Sweet Life – 7:02
10. Bluesology – 5:49

Personnel:
Houston Person – Tenor Saxophone
John Di Martino – Piano
Chuck Redd – Vibraphone
Ray Drummond – Bass
Lewis Nash – Drums

Release: 2013
Time: 00:55:51

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