Seventy Something

Seventy Something Stan Tracey Date: May 2004   —   £12.99   —   Music product page Rating:

The title resonates with me for obvious reasons. The music resonates for all the best reasons.
OK, it's a hackneyed phrase, but Stan is a living legend. A jazz pianist without parallel whose skill and invention leap from the tracks of this wonderful CD.
Stan Tracey spent many years of his career as resident pianist at Ronnies Scott's club in London. Here he supported most of the American jazz stars who played at the club. A devotee of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, he has built up an enviable but well deserved reputation as a soloist, composer and arranger. The big band he occassionaly leads blows me away.
This release spotlights the keyboard virtuosity of this 70 something star. With backing from his son, Clark Tracey, on drums, and bassist Andy Cleyndert, Stan delivers 66 minutes of sheer delight.
The eight tracks include a Monk tune, Nutty, and the Ellington/Mercer/Strayhorn classic Satin Doll. Every one's a winner but, for me, the standout of a 5 star disc is Here's That Rainy Day (a favourite tune of mine anway).
Recorded at live gigs, the sound quality and ambience are faultless.
The Trio Records website is a little confusing but it does have info on this and other CDs by Stan. However, to order oline it directs you to Amazon UK.