Originally released in 1994 and reissued on the
Origin
label, this is
New Stories
' initial foray into the studio. In addition to being a fine session in and of itself, it also served as a harbinger of what was to come for this Seattle-based group. There was a Grammy-nominated album with
Mark Murphy
, sessions with top sax players, including
Don Lanphere
, as well as more albums under their own name. Formed in 1988 and composed of pianist
Marc Seales
, bass player
Doug Miller
, and
John Bishop
on drums, the group is a study in introspection and intensity as they wend their way through a play list of
pop
and
jazz
standards and originals. The initial track,
"The Gingi,"
sets the tone for the session.
Seales
' hard-working piano takes the lead with a foundation laid down by
Miller
's rumbling bass and interrupted from time to time by
Bishop
's drum accents. More ruminative explorations take place on
"Wholly Here, Holly Hear,"
which has a weightlessness about it usually associated with the music of
Frederic Delius
. The seven-plus minute exploration of
"Stella by Starlight"
is one of the album's highlights.
takes off in several different improvisational directions, from a gentle rendering of the melody to adventurous improvisional excursions, all buttressed with understanding support from his playing companions. During this presentation, both the work of the melodic
Bill Evans Trio
and the jagged rhythms of
Thelonious Monk
are recalled. While
' piano is the lead instrument throughout, bassist
has sufficient opportunities to chip in with deft bass solos on such cuts as his own
"Before Dawn"
and on the medley of
"The Thumb"
"Bluesology."
This is piano trio work at its innovative and commanding best. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan