Search - Hank Jones :: Upon Reflection: Music of Thad Jones

A delicate memorial

N. Dorward | Toronto, ON Canada | 03/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best piano-trio discs of the 1990s, and a high point in Jones's career. The disc is a memorial to the late Thad Jones, and his brothers Hank and Elvin are joined by George Mraz, bassist with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band.I've often found Hank Jones a little too tasteful & immaculate to be absorbing (see, e.g. _Steal Away_, a disc that starts off terrifically but by the end is sunk by its ponderous seriousness); but this disc is a big exception. The emotional atmosphere of the disc is tender & gentle, but it's intellectually satisfying too: Jones's playing is as closely-argued as can be imagined.The other great pleasure of the disc is hearing Elvin Jones play brushes for the duration: while that doesn't mean thunder is absent (see the ending explosion of the opening track, with Jones growling ferociously), you do get to hear how subtle & tasteful Elvin can be. "A Child Is Born" is turned into a drum feature, & surprisingly, it works beautifully.What can I say? This disc has been generally unsung: but it deserves to be recognized as one of the great memorial albums, one of the great trio albums...one of the great Hank Jones albums."

Like Full-bodied Aged Wine

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 07/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tasty and satisfying, richly developed, polished and mellow: such is the music performed by Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, and George Mraz, matured jazz veterans in 1993 when they recorded this album. The title "On Reflection" is apt as they offer their quiet arrangments on brother Thad Jones's themes with a touch of nostalgia but no melancholy or solemnity. This is a celebration of a musical life. Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder with full description notes in the insert, the album is a powerful statement. One of my favorite tracks, "Mean What You Say," is an up-tempo arrangement that features keen solo work by all three musicians, particular Elvin Jones, who can finally release from his tempered brush work on previous pieces. Here, then, is an album not for the cellar but now for your pleasure."

Ah, Hank

Neal Horwitz | Singapore | 07/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are far too few interpretations of Thad Jones songs and arrangements. One of the most prolific jazz writers and arrangers, his legacy overlooked, and anything that bolsters it is sorely needed. Who better to do so than brothers Hank and Elvin. This is the real deal, and what I mean is this is serious music. It swings, obviously, but it is textured, thoughtful and deep music, such as good art is, you keep going back to it again and again to discover more-about melody, phrasing, and mood.

If you listen to the playful mood of "Ah, Henry", the grandeur of "The Summary",an 11 minute meditative "Upon Reflection" that builds steadily, the slow and cool tempo of "Mean What You Say" (listen to Thad and Pepper Adams version to hear another rendition). the bluesy shuffle of "Ray-El" and everyone's sentimental favourite, "A Child Is Born."

Some will listen and not hear artists at work, but those are the ones who read but don't understand, see but too busy looking elsewhere..

Tommy Flanagan also has an outstanding trio recording of Thad Jones songs, and not many today would tackle it-his music should be heavily recorded, and no idea why it isn't. For those interested in jazz as a serious art form, here are three pros playing great melodies. And as is often true, it takes work to understand the meaning,the good stuff always does."