TOMMY SMITH &
BRIAN KELLOCK – Whispering Of The Stars
Spartacus Records STS019
Tommy Smith (tenor saxophone); Brian Kellock (piano)
Recorded August 2013, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
It is very difficult to be objective when presented with an album of this quality. A combination of some of the most memorable and beautiful tunes form the Great American songbook, sensitively played by two of the world’s best exponents of their respective instruments it is nigh on impossible not to be captivated by the performances on this latest offering from the Smith/Kellock duo.
Following on from their previous albums, the live recording Bezique and the follow up studio set, Symbiosis, saxophonist and pianist work their way through the chosen repertoire with an assurance and empathy that rekindles the spark in some oft played melodies, and breathing new life into familiar chord progressions with the sheer imagination of their intuitive interpretations.
By now, Tommy Smith has one of the most beautiful saxophone sounds in jazz, and this is enhanced yet further by Kellock’s sensitive accompaniment. So in tune are they with each other’s playing that the music often transcends the notes played to become a thing of wonderment, communicating directly and intimately in sound and pure emotion.
Hearing Smith’s softly played opening bars of ‘You Must Believe In Spring’ makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and whets the appetite and raises the anticipation of what is to follow. The pair wring every last drop of feeling in an all too brief rendition of ‘The Summer Knows’ by Michel Legrand, and then confound us with a delightful reading of Glenn Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade’.
Toying with the listener still further, the ‘Ballad Medley’ touches on eleven exquisite melodies in just under nine minutes leaving one contemplating what they could do with the material on a whole album devoted to ballads. Oh well, maybe on the next album!
This is more than just an album of timeless classics, but more a contemplative and invigorating display of just how valid these melodies are, and how new generations of musicians can find new things to say within an established musical vocabulary. Wonderful album and unreservedly recommended.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Spartacus Records STS019
Tommy Smith (tenor saxophone); Brian Kellock (piano)
Recorded August 2013, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
It is very difficult to be objective when presented with an album of this quality. A combination of some of the most memorable and beautiful tunes form the Great American songbook, sensitively played by two of the world’s best exponents of their respective instruments it is nigh on impossible not to be captivated by the performances on this latest offering from the Smith/Kellock duo.
Following on from their previous albums, the live recording Bezique and the follow up studio set, Symbiosis, saxophonist and pianist work their way through the chosen repertoire with an assurance and empathy that rekindles the spark in some oft played melodies, and breathing new life into familiar chord progressions with the sheer imagination of their intuitive interpretations.
By now, Tommy Smith has one of the most beautiful saxophone sounds in jazz, and this is enhanced yet further by Kellock’s sensitive accompaniment. So in tune are they with each other’s playing that the music often transcends the notes played to become a thing of wonderment, communicating directly and intimately in sound and pure emotion.
Hearing Smith’s softly played opening bars of ‘You Must Believe In Spring’ makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and whets the appetite and raises the anticipation of what is to follow. The pair wring every last drop of feeling in an all too brief rendition of ‘The Summer Knows’ by Michel Legrand, and then confound us with a delightful reading of Glenn Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade’.
Toying with the listener still further, the ‘Ballad Medley’ touches on eleven exquisite melodies in just under nine minutes leaving one contemplating what they could do with the material on a whole album devoted to ballads. Oh well, maybe on the next album!
This is more than just an album of timeless classics, but more a contemplative and invigorating display of just how valid these melodies are, and how new generations of musicians can find new things to say within an established musical vocabulary. Wonderful album and unreservedly recommended.
Reviewed by Nick Lea