The fact is, those are both horrendous cliches which do nothing to really describe Don Ewell. This self titled release for Chiaroscuro shows us that you simply can't put this pianist in a box. For the sake of giving you something to relate him with, I would go with Traditional / NOLA jazz.
The music is bluesy, hard swingin and always joyous no matter the tempo or tune. This album is perfect, all the way through. You won't find any filler or musical misgivings here, instead, we are given sides which display the best jazz has to offer.
Side 1 is a trio with Hall & Leeman, while side 2 is a quartet with Tate, Duvivier & Leeman. The sidemen bring their A-game to these tunes, and are given plenty of room to shine. Ewell himself gives us every reason to believe he is one of the more underrated pianists of his time. It would be easy to overlook this album from it's unexciting cover, to it's 70's publishing date... but that would be a large mistake. From start to finish this record delivers on all fronts and leaves you feeling upbeat.
I ripped this minty vinyl at 24/48 wav and transferred it to 24/48 FLAC for your convenience. Superb stereo recording... enjoy!!!
______________________________________________
Chiaroscuro Records – CR 130
1974
A1 Sweethearts On Parade
A2 Creole Love Call
A3 Diane
A4 Apex Blues
A5 All By Myself
B1 Coquette
B2 It Must Be True
B3 Let´s Fall In Love
B4 I Cover The Waterfront
Bass – George Duvivier (tracks: B1 to B4)
Clarinet – Herb Hall (tracks: A1 to A5)
Drums – Cliff Leeman
Piano – Don Ewell
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Tate (tracks: B1 to B4)
