John Hicks • Impressions of Mary Lou

 

Review by Ken Dryden
John Hicks' series of tributes to greats of the past for High Note continues with this fine CD honoring Mary Lou Williams, who passed away in 1981. What is so compelling about Hicks' salute to Williams is that he ignores her best known secular works; he sticks mostly to excerpts from her religious compositions, which, of course, still swing mightily. Joined by bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Cecil Brooks III, the pianist opens with a driving rendition of her "Lord Have Mercy" (from "Music for Peace"). "O.W." is a strut that alternates between a slow chant (anchored by Dwayne Burno's booming bass vamp) and some lively but brief up-tempo bop choruses. "Intermission" shows Williams' adventuresome nature as a composer; Hicks and company are up to the task. Hicks also wrote five originals that fit right in with Williams' songs. Hicks doesn't try to mimic her style of writing but succeeds in capturing her essence in his compositions. "Two for You" is a lively bop vehicle and solo piano feature that has shades of Mary Lou as well as Bud Powell. "Ballad for Mary Lou" is a beautiful melody that also reflects the complex nature of Williams' playing, as well as her personality. "Not Too Straight" is an up-tempo blues that has the angular quality of Thelonious Monk's works with the aggressiveness of Mary Lou Williams. Recommended.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/impressions-of-mary-lou-mw0000098525

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
La serie de homenajes de John Hicks a los grandes del pasado para High Note continúa con este magnífico CD en honor a Mary Lou Williams, fallecida en 1981. Lo que es tan convincente del homenaje de Hicks a Williams es que ignora sus obras seculares más conocidas; se ciñe sobre todo a extractos de sus composiciones religiosas, que, por supuesto, siguen teniendo un poderoso swing. Acompañado por el bajista Dwayne Burno y el baterista Cecil Brooks III, el pianista abre con una emocionante interpretación de «Lord Have Mercy» (de «Music for Peace»). «O.W.» es un puntal que alterna entre un canto lento (anclado por el atronador bajo de Dwayne Burno) y unos coros bop animados pero breves. «Intermission» muestra la naturaleza aventurera de Williams como compositor; Hicks y compañía están a la altura. Hicks también escribió cinco originales que encajan perfectamente con las canciones de Williams. Hicks no intenta imitar su estilo de escritura, sino que consigue captar su esencia en sus composiciones. «Two for You» es una animada pieza de bop y piano solista que tiene matices de Mary Lou y de Bud Powell. «Ballad for Mary Lou» es una bella melodía que también refleja la compleja naturaleza de la forma de tocar de Williams, así como su personalidad. «Not Too Straight» es un blues acelerado que tiene la cualidad angular de las obras de Thelonious Monk con la agresividad de Mary Lou Williams. Recomendado.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/impressions-of-mary-lou-mw0000098525

Tracks:
1 - Lord Have Mercy From "Music For Peace"
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 4:26
2 - Ballad For Mary Lou
Written-By – J.Hicks - 3:18
3 - O.W.
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 4:05
4 - Old Time Sprirtual
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 3:41
5 - Mary Lou's Interlude
Written-By – J.Hicks - 4:05
6 - Medi ll
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 7:50
7 - Not Just Your Blues
Written-By – J.Hicks - 4:48
8 - Intermission
Written-By – M.L.Williams*, M.Suggs - 4:55
9 - Not Too Straight
Written-By – J.Hicks - 4:00
10 - Two For You
Written-By – J.Hicks - 4:27
11 - Zodiac Suite: Excerpt From "Aries"
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 2:12
12 - The Lord Says From "Music For Peace"
Written-By – M.L.Williams - 3:56


Credits:
    Bass – Dwayne Dolphin
    Design – Littlefield & Company, NYC -     Drums, Producer – Cecil Brooks III
    Engineer – George Heid
    Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Dave Bjornson
    Liner Notes – David Jaye, Rev. Peter O'Brien, S.J. -     Mastered By, Edited By – John Lee (3)
    Photography By – Enok Holsegaard, I-Candy
    Piano – John Hicks

Recorded at Audiomation Studio, Pittsburgh, PA on June 19, 1998.

Label:    HighNote Records, Inc. – HCD 7046
Country:    US
Released:    2000
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop, Swing
https://www.discogs.com/release/8895566-John-Hicks-Impressions-Of-Mary-Lou?srsltid=AfmBOopOede22YYkhHVKC3bFA6PQu2cwSVtz_OhgCQiJH9W3EGi6f8j2

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