Laurence Hobgood When the Heart Dances (Dig) Genres:Jazz, Pop * Expert pianist, composer, and arranger Laurence Hobgood has long been a great friend of Naim. In the '90s he recorded two highly acclaimed albums for the label in the group Union, and a further two as a solo artist: Left... more » To Own Devices (2000) and Crazy World (2005) with the Laurence Hobgood Trio.
* Described by Dave Brubeck as "one of the most incredible pianists I have ever heard," Hobgood has been directing Kurt Elling's Blue Note (and now Concord) recordings for 15 years, and accrued his very own Grammy Award nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal Performance for his work on Elling's Flirting With Twilight (2001).
* Long regarded as one of the worlds' greatest living bass players, Charlie Haden was a great admirer of Hobgood's early work for Naim. Haden has worked with all manner of musicians in the jazz world and beyond, achieving massive critical acclaim.
* Pre-eminent male jazz singer Kurt Elling adds vocals on three tracks. Elling, who now records for Concord/Universal, has a rich baritone voice that spans four octaves and displays astonishing technical facility and emotional depth. He has accumulated seven Grammy Award nominations. "One of the finest pianists out there. Period." -- All About Jazz« less
* Expert pianist, composer, and arranger Laurence Hobgood has long been a great friend of Naim. In the '90s he recorded two highly acclaimed albums for the label in the group Union, and a further two as a solo artist: Left To Own Devices (2000) and Crazy World (2005) with the Laurence Hobgood Trio.
* Described by Dave Brubeck as "one of the most incredible pianists I have ever heard," Hobgood has been directing Kurt Elling's Blue Note (and now Concord) recordings for 15 years, and accrued his very own Grammy Award nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal Performance for his work on Elling's Flirting With Twilight (2001).
* Long regarded as one of the worlds' greatest living bass players, Charlie Haden was a great admirer of Hobgood's early work for Naim. Haden has worked with all manner of musicians in the jazz world and beyond, achieving massive critical acclaim.
* Pre-eminent male jazz singer Kurt Elling adds vocals on three tracks. Elling, who now records for Concord/Universal, has a rich baritone voice that spans four octaves and displays astonishing technical facility and emotional depth. He has accumulated seven Grammy Award nominations. "One of the finest pianists out there. Period." -- All About Jazz
Philip P. (archipunk) from ANN ARBOR, MI Reviewed on 8/15/2011...
As a big fan of Kurt Elling, I'm familiar with Hobgood. This album is like an inverted Elling concert, with more instrumental parts, and only occasional vocals.
CD Reviews
Makes the heart dance
Hungry Seal | New York, NY | 10/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another heavy release from long-time Kurt Elling collaborator, pianist Laurence Hobgood, in duets with legendary bassist Charlie Haden, with Kurtish cameos. This disc will be a joy for anyone who has heard Laurence play - his trademark style is very much in evidence - sonorous standards, swashbuckling fast playing, comic interludes (check out the inebriated intro to New Orleans), and the sheer ability to make any piano resonate. The CD has a mixture of standards and originals. Some of the standards are priceless - a profound and Chopinesque version of Daydream dueting with Kurt, a measured tribute to Stairway to the Stars, and a langorous Cost of Living (written by the late Don Grolnick). But my real favorites on the disc are Laurence's tunes - the title track When the Heart Dances, Leatherwood, and Sanctuary. On these tunes, Laurence explores shifting harmonies with a modern sense of fluid adventure in his writing and his playing. Baroque passages remind you of early Chic Corea (children's songs) and quieter passages remind you of Satie. If you want to hear a contemporary master, check this out and his earlier trio records too.
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One of the greatest living pianists shines in this beautiful
Toms Center | atlanta ga | 08/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Laurence is best known as the musical director/collaborator with Kurt Elling. In fact Kurt joins Laurence on this wonderful album for a few songs. Laurence is probably one of the best pianists you've never heard much about. His talents as writer and performer are wonderfully displayed on this collection of songs that are stripped to their barest form to allow the instrument and perfomer to shine. This is the kind of performance you just carve out the time to sit back and listen to, forget about your worries and become completely absorbed in the beauty of the music. I have listened now multiple times and each time find something new to marvel about. I highly recommend you buy this and enjoy and savor every note."
Magical, moving, engrossing, uplifting
LadyMurasaki | New York, NY | 10/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Why Hobgood isn't better known not only among jazz aficionados, but also by the public at large, is a mystery to me. This CD is a sublime example of what great jazz can do. Here are contemplative pieces, as inward and provocative as prayers, and explosive tunes that make the heart dance, if not literally soar. There are harmonies to tantalize the ear, and yet nothing is ever so academic or abstract as to be inaccessible. Anyone can listen to and will enjoy this beautiful music; Hobgood is a storyteller first and foremost, interested in taking you, the listener, on a journey. The record also bears repeated listening--like the best art, each spin will reveal more to you, reflecting your own state of mind and making you wonder how it is that Hobgood has managed to capture so much in such a skillful and nimble fashion in one recording session. Then again, this is what great artists do, and there is no question that Hobgood--and his recording partner Charlie Haden--know all about making great art."