Search - Bob Brookmeyer :: Dual Role

Bob Brookmeyer/Teddy Charles

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 09/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD collects two different 10-inch recording dates for Prestige recorded in 1954-55, one under Teddy Charles's leadership. Charles favored original compositions leaning toward the experimental: LOUPE-GAROUE predates what Cecil Taylor and Ornette Colemen were doing by 10 years. NOBODY'S HEART contains a spoken vocal by Nancy Overton that is supposed to convey a ho-hum attitude; I'm not sure it works very well. Better is the Brookmeyer date from June 1955. ROCKY SCOTCH is an interesting composition, taken up tempo, with good solos by Brookmeyer and Jimmy Raney on guitar. I always thought Brookmeyer was an unexceptional piano player, so I'm not too impressed by UNDER THE LILACS and THEY SAY IT'S WONDERFUL which feature his piano playing. Tasty brush work by Mel Lewis saves the second title marvelously. Both Brookmeyer and Raney hug the middle register in their solos and compliment each other well. A decent enough CD, but not among his very best."