Search - Stephan Crump :: Tuckahoe

Very atmospheric . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 01/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

". . . if somewhat unfocused. What I like about it is its wide-ranging musical expression: everything from reggae ("Here's a Goodbye") to blues ("Hazy Days," "Stolid") to Latin ("Allende," "Deluge") to faux-ballad ("Dega") to real ballad ("Eweslepe," a simply gorgeous piece featuring a very convincing and evocative Chris Cheek on soprano sax) to Heartland jazz ("Tuckahoe," with its stirring, heartfelt, almost John Cougar Mellancamp vibe) to faux-fifties ("The Clowns Go Marching On," my personal favorite, perfectly evoking the backseat of a Ford Fairlane 500 at the local drive in) to waltz time (the gorgeous "Dance of the Infidels, my second favorite cut). Stephan Crump can do it all.My only complaint is that it lacks a center. But that's OK. I'm sure he's trying to show off his range of expression, which is quite remarkable. I'm looking forward to further excrusions by this very accomplished bassist.4 and 1/2 stars."