Grenadier, Larry: The Gleaners

The first time I heard Larry Grenadier play the acoustic bass was with Pat Metheny, as he played acoustic guitar on a Charlie Haden number called ‘Waltz for Ruth.’ Metheny and Haden had performed a studio version on an album the duet had recorded previously. The live version I heard with Grenadier in place of Haden was faster and felt different, no less pretty, though. Since, I’ve heard Grenadier in piano trio situations where his inventive comping and improv-ing gives me hope that there is still something left to mine from modern jazz. On this solo album The Gleaners (why do I keep wanting to call it ‘The Grifters’) Larry shows up with a number of songs and styles.

In Particular, there is ‘Pettiford’ a jumping-up jazz number. I understand it is a tribute to Oscar Pettiford, who no doubt has influenced Grenadier in the bop realm. But, it seems there are influences all over the place. He covers Gershwin, Paul Motian and John Coltrane among others, and speaking of covering, his covers of Wolfgang Muthspiel’s Bagatelle No. 1 and 2 are well worth the price of admission. His own compositions, like ‘Pettiford’ are fantastic. ‘Oceanic’ has you believing you are in the icy depths of the North Atlantic. Title track ‘The Gleaner’ is a bowed composition and in some ways the highlight of the album This bass solo recording for ECM is one of many the label has produced over the years, and right there at the top of the heap.

Track Listing
01 Oceanic
02 Pettiford
03 The Gleaner
04 Woebegone
05 Gone Like The Season Does
06 Compassion _ The Owl Of Cranston
07 Vineland
08 Lovelair
09 Bagatelle 1
10 Bagatelle 2
11 My Man's Gone Now
12 A Novel In A Sigh

Added: March 25th 2019
Reviewer: Ed Tarzia
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 700
Language: english

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