This excellent set, which features guitarist
Rodney Jones
on his melodic originals,
blues
,
ballads
, and a few
standards
, sounds as if it were recorded in 2005 except for one fact. Pianist
Kenny Kirkland
, who passed away prematurely in 1998, is in the quartet. Surprisingly no date is included in the liner notes, so the 1985 date given for the previously unreleased set is just an educated guess, since it is mentioned that bassist
Marc Johnson
was new in town at the time of the recording. It is a joy to hear some "new"
Kirkland
solos but the contributions of
Jones
Johnson
, and drummer
Jeff "Tain" Watts
(who is very subtle throughout) should not be overlooked either.
' songs are excellent, with
"Blue Days, Blue Dreams"
and
"While We Dream"
in particular being rewarding
that should be covered by others. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow