Play That Song

Album review

The most unusual aspect to this Terry Gibbs quartet date (which was recorded live at the 1994 Floating Jazz Festival on board the S.S. Norway) is that seven of the nine selections are originals by the vibraphonist-leader. Of these, the most memorable are "Play That Song" (which has a catchy rhythm enthusiastically played by Terry's son Gerry on drums), "Penthouse Groove" (a hard-swinger that lets pianist Uri Caine show off his Oscar Peterson influence), the strong melody of "Sweet Young Song Of Love" and the medium-tempo blues "The Fat Man" which inspires Terry Gibbs' most exciting playing. Also in the "cooking" category are the quartet's renditions of Artie Shaw's "Moon Ray" (the clarinetist's most famous original) and "Limehouse Blues." It does seem a bit odd how the theme of "The Beautiful People" is very similar to "What's New" but that is the only real fault to this swinging set. Gibbs and Caine blend together well while never getting in each other's way while bassist Boris Koslo and drummer Gerry Gibbs are excellent in support. Recommended.

© Scott Yanow /TiVo