Search - Kenny Werner :: Delicate Balance

DeservingWiderRecognition

08/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Kenny Werner fan ever since the first time I heard him play live. He blew me away with his creativity, sense of time and his beautiful touch on the piano. It might help to say that I love the playing of Michel Petrucciani and Keith Jarrett and Mr. Werner displays the same incredible technique and beautiful touch on the piano. As with great players, it is not the technique but the imagination of his playing that stands out. From the monkish Ivronics, you sense his playfulness in this angular workout. It is not surprise that he chose a regular Keith Jarrett sideman in Jack Dejohnette and he is more that up to the task here. Having heard the whole album I was absorbed by the thought I had the first time that I heard Kenny. How can this guy not be among the most widely known jazz pianists of today. Do yourself a favor and check this out....."

Cutting and Complex

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 08/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pianist Kenny Werner is supported on this trio date by two jazz stalwarts, Dave Holland on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Actually, it was the presence of the latter two that made me seek out this recording. All but one of the eight cuts (Nat Adderly's "Work Song") are by Werner, whose compositional style is more toward the cerebral than the swinging. The first cut, "Amonkst," sound like Monk run amok, with echoes of Jobim and the Flintstones thrown in for good measure--definitely not your usual lounge-type piano trio sound! The other cuts reflect the same style: cutting and complex, but never jarring or discordant. Holland and DeJohnette both get a good workout, providing much more than just accompaniment



Although at times I longed for a little more lyricism, I found myself really enjoying the music, and the sound quality was excellent. A Delicate Balance presents 65 minutes of slightly challenging but solidly rewarding jazz."