Label: Heartcore Records / Motéma, 2023
Personnel - Geri Allen: piano; Kurt Rosenwinkel: guitar.
Two master musicians, the late great pianist Geri Allen and the vibrant guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, showcase a free-spirited melodic vocabulary and profound harmonic insight on this live recording captured in Paris in 2012. A Lovesome Thing: Live at the Philharmonie de Paris is made of five pieces of music: three standards and two original compositions, one by each musician.
They emanate a natural and relaxed aura that permeates the music, leaving it imprinted with their distinctive musical signatures and tremendous improvisational capabilities. Right from the beginning, they captivate listeners by embracing a beautiful rubato playing style that gives shape to Billy Strayhorn’s splendid ballad, "A Flower is a Lonesome Thing”. Another widely known ballad follows: "Embraceable You”, but this one, by the pen of George Gershwin, didn't have a strong impact on me in spite of Herbie Hancock’s deft arrangement.
What truly amazed was the captivating rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby My Dear” whose incomparable beauty is enhanced here by a flawless integration of strings and keys. Rosenwinkel’s delightfully enigmatic introduction blends single-note phrasing and sophisticated harmony to create a colorful, contemporary tapestry. Even more impressive are the original compositions, standing out as the highlights of this duo session. Rosenwinkel’s "Simple #2" centers on a robust bluesy stride in three, offering multiple facets to be enjoyed. This composition, first featured on the guitarist’s 2020 trio album Angels Around, retains its urgency and is elegantly expressed with an outstanding sense of resolution.
In turn, Allen’s previously unrecorded piece, “Open Handed Reach”, imparts a sense of openness as it unfolds with a light waltzing step. It presents a harmonically rich experience elevated by the pianist’s brilliancy. Geri Allen and Kurt Rosenwinkel lay bare abundant musical fertility, revealing instinctive chemistry. They are both supportive in their accompaniments, courageous in their statements, and intelligent in their interplay.
Favorite Tracks:
04 - Simple #2 ► 05 - Ruby My Dear ► 07 - Open Handed Reach