Ray Bryant - Somewhere In France (2000)

Recorded in 1993 before a live audience somewhere in France, this session was sitting around in Ray Bryant's home on a cassette tape that the sound man had handed him after the performance. The artist hadn't had time to listen to it; he hadn't even realized he was being recorded until the performance was over. The session turns out to be a significant milestone that documents this unique pianist. As a solo piano performance, the music is unobstructed. The sound is well done. But what makes this one special is that Bryant's comments to the audience are captured on the recording as well. He was candid and offered considerable insight. The pianist's distinctive bass lines appear in each of the styles he performs here. Whether walking the blues, bouncing a boogie-woogie, forcefully "preaching" a gospel piece, or simply interpreting a lullaby, Bryant's romping, two-hand approach remains unique. His theme song, "Slow Freight," makes a lasting impression. ~ by Jim Santella, AAJ.

Label M, 495701, 2000

Recorded Live in 1993 somewhere in France

Ray Bryant - Piano [Solo]

Tracks:

01. Take The "A" Train {Billy Strayhorn} (4:15)

02. Blues In G {Ray Bryant}/Willow Weep For Me {Ann Ronell} (6:38)

03. Con Alma {Dizzy Gillespie} (7:43)

04. Slow Freight {Ray Bryant, Esmond Edwards} (7:03)

05. Jungletown Jubilee {Lloyd Glenn} (2:58)

06. Django {John Lewis} (6:40)

07. After Hours {Erskine Hawkins, Avery Parrish} (3:24)

08. When I Look In Your Eyes {Xavier Cugat} (2:54)

09. Good Morning Heartache {Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher, Irene Higginbotham} (4:56)

10. In The Back Room {Ray Bryant} (5:26)

11. If I Can Just Make It Into Heaven {Traditional} (3:57)

12. St. Louis Blues {W.C. Handy} (6:57)

13. Until It's Time For You To Go {Buffy Sainte-Marie} (3:58)

Credits:

Producer - Ray Bryant

Producer, Liner Notes - Joel Dorn

Mastering - Gene Paul [DB Plus Studios, NY]

Production Coordination - Alex Karas

Sonic Solutions - Jennifer A. Munson

Cover Art, Cover Design, Graphic Design - Page Simon

Cover Photo - Chuck Stewart

Ray Bryant provided the master tape for this live solo piano CD from a personal archive of over 100 cassettes given to him by various soundboard technicians working his concerts over the years. Bryant was unable to identify the tape more specifically than being recorded "Somewhere in France" during 1993; hence the CD's title. The play list and the arrangements overlap somewhat with Bryant's Alone at Montreux date, though the pianist's first-rate performance and the surprisingly excellent sound from Somewhere in France's humble cassette source make this worth acquiring along with his earlier solo concert CD. Highlights include a boogie-woogie version of "Take the 'A' Train," a choppy delightful "Con Alma," "Jungletown Jubilee" (an obscure tune with obvious gospel roots), a swinging take of John Lewis' "Django," and a savory take of the slow blues "After Hours." Since Bryant turned over more than 40 personal tapes that he personally liked, here's hoping that producer Joel Dorn and Label M will release more music from the pianist's own collection. Very highly recommended. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.

Total Time: 66:49