Hank Jones'
relaxed, understated keyboard demeanor leaves lots of room for interplay with bassist
Ron Carter
and drummer
Grady Tate
. This is a nicely balanced session including the latin flavored title-track,
Jones'
interpretation of two contemporary ballads penned by
Sara Cassey
,
"Warm Blue Stream"
and
"Wind Flower"
plus
Harold Arlen's
1934 standard
"As Long As I Live."
The date's highlight is
splendid rendition of the
Richard Rodgers
waltz
"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."
The familiar melody is exquisitely reharmonized and a rhythmic interlude is inserted between sections. (A solo piano version of this arrangement was recorded in 1977 and is included in the
Smithsonian Jazz Piano
collection.)
Claus Ogerman's
"Favors"
is a
Jones
favorite, appearing on two subsequent live releases by the pianist.
"Minor Contemplation,"
a hard-driving bop line, is the only
original. All in all, an excellent offering from an undisputed master. ~ Lee Bloom