Search - Ross Tompkins :: Celebrates the Music of Harold Arlen

Fine Stuff

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 03/10/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third solo recording Ross Tompkins made for the Progressive label. It was taped at Sage and Sound Recordings in Hollywood, California on July 2, 1997. Ross co-produced it and chose the tunes for the CD release. There is close to 70 minutes worth of professionally recorded piano music here, played by a stylist who spent much of his career in the Tonight Show Band under the leadership of Doc Severinson.



All 14 tunes will be familiar to anyone with an interest in Harold Arlen or old movie buffs who will recognize the melodies and remember the lyrics. You'll hear It's Only A Paper Moon, Let's Fall In Love, Ill Wind, Come Rain Or Come Shine, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, One For My Baby, and eight more songs destined for pianistic alteration.



Ross Tompkins' style was unique in that he incorporated many quick changes in tempo and mood, which almost forced listeners to be on their toes. There seems to be a melancholy here, caught between faster runs and flourishes. The music is almost sorrowful when the tempos are slow and sometimes the rapid accellerations seem forced. It is as if Ross Tompkins is reliving the memories of the songs while he plays and occasionaly is overcome by nostalgia. It's just a guess on my part and in no way does it detract from the marvellous interpretation of these classic songs.



There is much to enjoy on this disc. Ross Tompkins was a fluent pianist with an original style. Fortunately for us, he has left a handful of solo recordings that can continue to delight and surprise listeners from this generation and, if all goes right, the next.



* I'd rate The Phantom, Ross's first solo effort for Progressive, 5 stars.

This is undoubtedly a fine recording and some may say that Harold Arlen and nostalgia go hand in hand. Judge for yourself."