Niels Pedersen made many
rewarding recordings over several decades as a sideman with the late pianist
Kenny Drew, so his making of a CD in tribute to him shouldn't come as a
surprise. Joined by pianist Renee Rosnes and drummer Jonas Johansen, Friends
Forever: In Memory of Kenny Drew primarily include selections which Drew loved
to play. The Danish folk lullaby "Hushaby" is a bit unusual, as it
includes a drum solo, as well as Rosnes' dirge-like piano. Pedersen's pulsing
bass helps to disguise the introduction to "Someday My Prince Will
Come," a lovely waltz recorded by numerous jazz greats. A lively post-bop
workout of "Lullaby of the Leaves" swings like mad; while an
initially funky introduction to "The Shadow of Your Smile" quickly
gives way to a more traditional samba treatment. Pedersen's originals also
merit attention. The medley "Future Child-Friends Forever" begins
with the leader's intricate pizzicato solo, then adds his partners for the
second song, which spotlights Pedersen's flawless arco bass. His special
tribute "Kenny" reflects Pedersen's sense of loss without getting
overly maudlin. This brilliant date adds to the already considerable recorded
accomplishments of Niels Pedersen. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.
Milestone Records, MCD 9269-2,
1997
Recorded 27th-28th August,
1995 At East Sound Recording Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark
Musicians:
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
- Bass
Renee Rosnes - Piano
Jonas Johansen - Drums
Tracks:
1. Hushbaby {Traditional}
(8:22)
2. Kenny {Niels-Henning
Ørsted Pedersen} (6:26)
3. Someday My Prince Will
Come {Frank Churchill, Larry Morey} (4:01)
4. Theme From Elvira Madigan
{Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart} (3:59)
5. Lullaby Of The Leaves
{Bernice Petkere, Joe Young} (4:15)
6. The Shadow Of Your Smile
{Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (5:37)
7. Sometime Ago {Sergio
Mihanovich} (5:20)
8. Days Of Wine And Roses
{Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (5:45)
9. Future Child -- Friends
Forever {Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen} (9:20)
Credits:
Producer - Makoto Kimata
Recording & Mixing
Engineer - Henrik Lund
Mastering - Phil De Lancie,
1997 (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)
Design - Gilles Margerin
Art Direction - Jamie Putnam
Photography - Kirsten Malone
Liner Notes - Fred Bouchard
