Search - Ray Bryant :: In the Back Room

A Delightful Mix

David Bruce | Wheaton, Illinois USA | 04/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was very delighted with this new CD by Ray Bryant. My only other CD by Bryant is his 1972 recording, "Alone at Montreux," which I also enjoy. As I listened to this new recording, what struck me was how his improvisation has evolved to a more mature level. Bryant still has the youthful energy of old, the occasional bombastic touch, but as evidenced by his sensitive rendition of such standards as "St. Louis Blues," and "Easy to Love," he has developed a fine lyrical approach marked by nuance and a sense of poignancy. My favorite cut is his interpretation of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz," starting with the cascading intervals of the melody done in a rubato style, which he continues until nearly the end of the tune when he breaks out into straight time. The only flaw in Bryant's playing is the occasional inability of his right hand to execute a rapid flurry of notes or descending arpeggio without stumbling or sounding a bit brittle. But I can live with that, because the musicality and artistry more than makes up for the sporadic lapses of technique. This CD is taken from two live concerts performed in 2004 and 2008 at Rutgers University."