Search - Jim Tomlinson, Stacey Kent :: Only Trust Your Heart

An undiscovered sax gem

rash67 | USA | 05/10/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jim Tomlinson has made a conscious attempt to copy the tenor style of Stan Getz, which to my mind is a great ambition. (He also sounds a lot like a tenor Paul Desmond). There are certainly far too many young sax players imitating Coltrane, it is refreshing to listen to a new sax guy who tries to sound like Getz, paying attention to tone and the expression of emotion. While he doesn't quite have the fire and virtuousity of Getz, maybe that will come with time. If the first note doesn't sound good it doesn't matter how many notes follow. Tomlinson and Getz both understand that the tenor sax is very close to the range of the human voice. One can play a whole lot of fast arpeggio notes and roccoco florishes, but sometimes it doesn't hurt to just play the melodic line like a singer. (Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Miles Davis & Brad Mehldau know this, too).



"Makin Brownies", a Tomlinson original, sounds like an early Getz Four Brothers arrangement. "Only the Lonely" is quite moving, the sax taking the Frank Sinatra vocal line from Sinatra's famous 50's rendition. The title track is done in a gentle Bossa Nova style.



Tomlinson also plays in a backup group for his singer wife Stacy Kent. While they are good together - one thinks of the way Lester Young ran his solos around Billie Holiday, the intrusion of his wife herein sort of breaks the mood and distracts from what should be the focus, Tomlinson. While I like Stacy Kent's vocal albums with Tomlinson, I would much prefer to hear him here without vocals. I think he must be shy.



Also, his backup band does little more than provide sonic wallpaper, they could be more assertive. I would love to hear him with Getz last backup band Kenny Barron, George Mraz and Victor Lewis, who would provide a lot more counterpoint.



But these are really minor points, distractions, from what is a fine album from a largely unknown sax guy with a whole lot of talent.



Four stars for when Tomlinson plays."

Jim and Stacey make great music together.

Stephen H. Sasser | Portland, Oregon | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am writing this in response the the "Kid's" review below. Anyone who sees or hears Stacey Kent as a "musical fake" is stone deaf.

My apologies to Jim for deflecting my review but I couldn't let that comment stand. And now, back to Jim, he is truly a talented and disiplined player. I've heard a lot of sax players in my time and he is one of my favorites. That he is married to, and dedicated to making music with, one of my all-time favorite female vocalists is a bonus. We saw them in Seattle and they had the audience in the palms of their hands. It was one of the most memorable live sets that I've ever witnessed. Together they are truly blissfull.

Give us more Jim and Stacey."

For the discerning ear

Prezence | 12/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jim Tomlinson is a rare, lyrical saxophonist in this age of flash and bombast. Yeah, its fair to compare him to Getz but Jim is part of a much wider tradition, with Desmond included, of singing a song on the horn and still swinging. It just happens that Getz is the only player different from Coltrane etal that the average listener is familiar with.

Jim and Stacey are the perfect match sonically and every one of Stacey records (by the way) is enhanced by Jim's playing."