This is a very intense and intensively felt album that yields an abundance of wonderful music
ECM 2836 / 753 4291
Fred Hersch (piano); Drew Gress (double bass); Joey Baron (drums)
Recorded May 2024
This is quite simply a gorgeous release and everything that you could ask for from a contemporary piano trio, and more. The material is impeccably chosen, one standard, some modern classics and three original compositions by the pianist make for an absorbing and well-rounded set that is immaculately performed.
What is immediately apparent is the empathy and sensitivity in which the individual pieces are played. Even the left field choice of Ornette Coleman’s ‘Law Years’ is delicately handled by the trio, given just enough juice to make it swing but not overdoing the energy and dynamics as to disturb the equilibrium of the rest of the programme, or the balance between the three instruments that Hersch is at pains to establish.
And that is where not just the listening to each other comes in, but the mutual respect and understanding that the trio bring to their music. While Hersch has a longstanding musical relationship with both Gress and Baron stretching back to the 1980s, remarkably this is their first studio recording as a trio.
From the outset the music is all about melody and interplay, and this is established and maintained from Fred’s opening composition ‘Plainsong’ and the outstanding title track in which the feeling that the trio convey through the music is an aural delight. Egberto Gismonti’s exquisite ‘Palhaço’ is given the same respect with a stunning solo and playing from Gress.
The bassist also acquits himself with honours on Charlie Haden’s ‘First Song’ in which Hersch and Baron also support and play in an exemplary manner and perhaps recalling their association with Haden when the legendary bassist played with Baron and pianist on Fred’s 1987 trio album, Sarabande.
The drummer is heard first on Gershwin’s ‘Embraceable You’ setting not just tempo but a gently rolling feel and approach to the familiar standard and giving a fresh twist with the sense of exploration and indeed fun spilling over into Hersch’s Brazilian feel on ‘Anticipation’.
This is a very intense and intensively felt album that yields an abundance of wonderful music. One can feel the interaction of the trio in every phrase, beat and delicately nuanced dynamics. This really does feel like a major statement from Hersch and colleagues, and hopefully a unit that will be able to grow their music further.
