Search - Sonny Greenwich, Marilyn Lerner :: Special Angel

Special Album

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 01/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A guitar/piano duet album presents unique challenges. For example, these instruments share a similar sound signature and timbre--percussive, ringing, and without extensive overtones to add coloration. Plus, there's no bottom to anchor things, no drums to create rhythmic drive, placing a premium on rhythmic invention and harmonic interaction.These two players, veterans of the Canadian jazz scene, here overcome the obstacles with remarkable aplomb and invention, producing an entirely satisfying jazz recording of the highest caliber.Sonny Greenwich should be familiar to any serious jazz fan. A guitarist possessed of a unique approach to his instrument, impeccable taste, and a glorious tone, his commanding presence is more than a match for the inimitable Marilyn Lerner. The latter, a mainstay of both the Canadian jazz and New Music scenes, exhibits complete mastery of the piano as she subtly shifts between blues, caberet, ballads, folkloric materials, deeply infused spirtual numbers, and Latin moods.The two players lock into these varied sensibilites with such ease and facilty that it's hard to believe they've never played together before. An unusual but highly satisfying session."