At first sight,no,at the first audition,this record may seem to contain some easy-to-listen-to kind of music.But it's a mistake.
This meeting between the old pal of Ornette Coleman,Don Cherry and Ed Blackwell,leader of the rare but exceptionnal "Liberation Music Orchestra",lover of all kinds of folk music,wether it's blues,gospel,south american music or wherever in the world,the great Charlie Haden,and the greatest jazz piano player still alive,child of Fats Waller,Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum (his main influences),member of one of the most revered families of jazz musicians (his brothers are Thad and Elvin Jones),born 1918 and still handsome and active in music,the amazing Hank Jones,this meeting is one of the most important things that happened in the jazz history in the past ten years.
This exceptionnal album was recorded June 29 and 30,1994.The repertoire is mostly made of gospel tunes,except the traditionnal "Danny boy",aka "Londonderry air",and a canadian song from Quebec,written in the 18th century,"L'amour de moy" ("my love").
You've got to deserve this record.It seems so simple to listen to at the first audition;but it will give you its incredible beauties only after two or more playings.Hank Jones' playing seems to be very simple,but his incredible work on harmonies is the mark of the greatest players.Each tune is a jewel.The final track,"hymn medley" is a rare moment of perfection.The first tune of this medley,"abide with me",was written by a certain William H.Monk,and recorded by...Thelonious Monk,with John Coltrane,Coleman Hawkins,Gigi Gryce and Ray Copeland on "Monk's music"(Riverside)."what a friend we have in Jesus" is played in a very nostalgic,even melancholic way by Hank Jones;only a supreme piano player could play that way,so simply,so directly."Amazing grace",a very emotionnal song,close this album magnificently.
If you love piano players who like to use of technical effects (I won't give any name,you have to make your choice,but please note that I DON'T THINK OF ART TATUM,who is ,to me,the greatest piano player of all times),you may have some troubles to discover the amazing treasures of this music.But if you love guys who plays a few notes to say a lot of things (Monk,Duke,Wilson,Basie...),you'll sure consider this session as an essential masterpiece.