You Taught My Heart to Sing - Houston Person, Cahn, S.
Namely You - Houston Person, DePaul, G.
Where Are You - Houston Person, Adamson, H.
Sweet Lorraine - Houston Person, Burwell, Clifford R
If I Ruled the World - Houston Person, Bricusse, L.
'S Wonderful - Houston Person, Gershwin, G.
Where Is the Love - Houston Person, MacDonald, R.
I Was Telling Her About You - Houston Person, Charlap, M.
Don't Forget the Blues - Houston Person, Person, Houston
I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone - Houston Person, Johnson, B.
A veteran tenor saxophonist whose reputation has never caught up to his exceptional talents, Houston Person rises to undeniable heights on this duo collaboration with Bill Charlap, a pianist whose reputation as an interpre... more »ter of the Great American Songbook has taken off through a series of topnotch albums but whose acute skills as an accompanist may be underapprecated. Even taking into account the familiarity they have attained through various encounters in New York, the chemistry Person and Charlap demonstrate here is pretty stunning. Person's classic deep tenor finds elegance and strength in a selection of songs that spans standards (Gershwin's "S'Wonderful"), Broadway (Leslie Bricusse's "If I Ruled the World"), pop ("Where is the Love," a hit for Donnie Hathaway) and jazz (McCoy Tyner's melodious title cut). And Charlap, making acute and witty digressions even as he smartly shadows the saxophonist, adds depth to the songs. An album in the same class as Stan Getz's series of duets with Kenny Barron, which is saying a lot. --Lloyd Sachs« less
A veteran tenor saxophonist whose reputation has never caught up to his exceptional talents, Houston Person rises to undeniable heights on this duo collaboration with Bill Charlap, a pianist whose reputation as an interpreter of the Great American Songbook has taken off through a series of topnotch albums but whose acute skills as an accompanist may be underapprecated. Even taking into account the familiarity they have attained through various encounters in New York, the chemistry Person and Charlap demonstrate here is pretty stunning. Person's classic deep tenor finds elegance and strength in a selection of songs that spans standards (Gershwin's "S'Wonderful"), Broadway (Leslie Bricusse's "If I Ruled the World"), pop ("Where is the Love," a hit for Donnie Hathaway) and jazz (McCoy Tyner's melodious title cut). And Charlap, making acute and witty digressions even as he smartly shadows the saxophonist, adds depth to the songs. An album in the same class as Stan Getz's series of duets with Kenny Barron, which is saying a lot. --Lloyd Sachs
CD Reviews
Beautiful and Inspirational
Eugene H. Hill | Santa Barbara, California United States | 05/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When the world lost the truly Great tenormen i.e., Lester Young, Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster many players and listeners were highly dismayed. It wasn't until a few years ago that I had the good fortune of discovering Houston Person that I could truly rejoice. Many people have oogled with augh over Coltrane and a mirade of others but none had the soul or love of the truly Great Ones I so much missed. There are many 'technicians' who can blow anything but few who can emit feeling and love. Houston Person is one who can and ranks high upon my list of those now gone and has done much to restore the tenderness and passions of the past for me. His work with Bill Charlap is not only beautiful but inspirational as well. For me this recording is the absolute finest example of love and tenderness I have experienced in many years of listening and playing. Not only the lead song You Taught My Heart To Sing, but Namely You, Where Are You and Sweet Lorraine all are further examples of what can happen when you get two perceptive and capable musicians together -- what a complimentary pair these two really are! They have brought a world that seems dreary and short on beauty a whole recorded session of sheer beauty and enjoyment that all seems well as the music plays on. You not only hear the results of two men who are really in tune with themselves and each other but their work unites you with the best there is within you and the world. This recording is, for me, priceless and would be the "ONE" most favored to take with me to that desert island -- provided there was the capability of somehow reproducing it there. All would be well with me and life in general. The manner in which these two great musicians listen and support one another is indeed remarkable and most enjoyable. I have purchased at least three or four copies of this disc and shared them with others. This one is a real treasure for those who enjoy music from the heart.
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This is really Charlap's album
Rick loves jazz | Sacramento, Ca | 02/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have a few other things by Houston Person, who usually has a sound that reminds me of Gene Ammons - a big, bassy tenor sax sound. He is completely different here - breathy, a higher timbre, softer. He plays beautifully. However, this album is really all about Bill Charlap.
First of all, his piano is recorded beautifully. Second, he PLAYS beautifully. At first, I thought I detected some of Bill Evans in his sound, but then almost everyone has some of Evans. No, Charlap has his own sound and style. He plays more in the upper range of the instrument than Evans, a more open style of harmony.
The very first number, "You Taught My Heart To Sing" almost leaves you breathless. The playing is gorgeous. It has everything that it needs and nothing that it doesn't, to paraphrase a commercial.
Clearly, Charlap is a man to be listened to, and I for one will certainly be looking to purchase more of his recordings. For my money, he may be one of the two or three best of the current crop of jazz pianists."
Trust Charlap to pick a winner
Norm Brust | New York, NY USA | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bill Charlap's collaborations with tenor sax players are some of the best examples of the continuing heritage of straight-ahead jazz. He has recorded with Scott Hamilton and Frank Wess with great success. And now he has given us a great session with traditionalist Houston Person. Newcomers to the world of jazz should listen to this release to learn why older fans flock to Charlap's performances and to experience the sounds that made jazz America's pop music 50 years ago."
Love it! secret too well kept..
Bettina Speyer | USA | 12/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have added this "gem" to our Bill Charlap collection of "must haves"!
Love it."
Relaxing at Home
Rodolfo Romanach-suarez | Puerto Rico | 02/18/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a nice soothing CD to help one relax after a day of work.
Many jazz recordings are dedicated to exploring new sounds. This one is much more traditional jazz, dedicated to preserving the legacy of jazz instead of creating new jazz alternatives. It is well recorded, and one can visualize being in a club listening to a jazz duo.
In my Opinion: Where is Love, I was Telling Her About You, are the highlights of the recording."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1