Stream
Week from Monday 20th May 2024 - FERGUS McCREADIE's new album "Stream" may well be another contender for my "Pick O' The Year". Yes, I know we're not even half-way through the twelvemonth yet, but I actually buy so few 'new' releases these days, that it's surely going to figure on the (short) list somewhere, as have his previous couple of discs.
To these ears, there is no more satisfying format in all of music than the 'JAZZ TRIO' combination of piano, bass and drums. Musical perfection. My 'comfort zone'. The sound quality on "Stream" is as clear as a bell ("it's a freaky trip on 'phones"), with equal attention being paid to the double-bass of DAVID BOWDEN and the percussion of STEPHEN HENDERSON. Of course, the piano playing is astonishing as usual, but it's the ever-inventive interplay between the three that rewards close attention.
I heard someone compare young Fergus to KEITH JARRETT, and I can sort of hear it. He's maybe THAT clever. There are similarities in the way they both reference modal 'folk' music styles in their improvisation/composition... but at least he doesn't try the patience of his audience with divo moodswings or any of that self-sabotaging 'vocalising' (ruining his own recordings by grunting and groaning all the way through them!)
WHAT'S ON THE JUKEBOX, MAY 2024 ? (It's been a while since I did one of these!) - "A playlist of top stuff that's currently setting the toes a-tappin', the fingers a-snappin' and the ears a-wormin' and generally shakin' my grooved thang to thrillin' effect." (Click on the wee lozenges to link to related YouTube clips, if you're curious.)
To these ears, there is no more satisfying format in all of music than the 'JAZZ TRIO' combination of piano, bass and drums. Musical perfection. My 'comfort zone'. The sound quality on "Stream" is as clear as a bell ("it's a freaky trip on 'phones"), with equal attention being paid to the double-bass of DAVID BOWDEN and the percussion of STEPHEN HENDERSON. Of course, the piano playing is astonishing as usual, but it's the ever-inventive interplay between the three that rewards close attention.
I heard someone compare young Fergus to KEITH JARRETT, and I can sort of hear it. He's maybe THAT clever. There are similarities in the way they both reference modal 'folk' music styles in their improvisation/composition... but at least he doesn't try the patience of his audience with divo moodswings or any of that self-sabotaging 'vocalising' (ruining his own recordings by grunting and groaning all the way through them!)
WHAT'S ON THE JUKEBOX, MAY 2024 ? (It's been a while since I did one of these!) - "A playlist of top stuff that's currently setting the toes a-tappin', the fingers a-snappin' and the ears a-wormin' and generally shakin' my grooved thang to thrillin' effect." (Click on the wee lozenges to link to related YouTube clips, if you're curious.)
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