Tommy Flanagan, piano
Kenny Burrell, guitar
George Mraz, bass
Lewis Nash, drums
Recorded April 28 & 30, 1990
Studio 44, Monster, NL
Engineer: Max Bolleman
In my not-so-humble opinion, Tommy Flanagan is one of the most important pianists in the history of jazz. He belongs in a select group of players that includes George Cables, John Hicks, Don Friedman, Kenny Barron, Enrico Pieranunzi, Harold Danko, and a few others. I call this group the "no wrong notes" club for somewhat obvious reasons. Listening to them in solo spots and in accompaniment to other artists, you can never predict what's coming next from the keyboard, but it's always a coherent choice. Flanagan distinguishes himself by not playing dissonantly (like Cecil Taylor, Andrew Hill, or Monk) or effusively (like Brubeck or Oscar Peterson). His style is elegant and totally absorbing despite his embrace of convention.
Beyond the Blue Bird features the legendary Kenny Burrell and the top rhythm team of George Mraz and Lewis Nash. Mraz always elevates the sessions he plays in. As a result, he was constantly in the recording studio making many of the best albums of the 80s and 90s as well as touring with different groups. He was a superb accompanist and an inventive soloist.
Flanagan and Burrell are almost telepathic sharing the front line of the quartet on Beyond the Blue Bird. Two chordal instruments can easily get in each other's way, but the best guitar-piano units exhibit a complementary relationship. Here, Flanagan and Burrell often play chords behind each other's solos.
My favorite track is the venerable "Yesterdays," which Flanagan and Burrell transform into something magnificent, using introductory tempo-free solos followed by an up-tempo round of solos that culminates in fascinating countermelodies. Another highlight is Flanagan's "Something Borrowed, Something Blue," an extraordinary ballad given tender treatment by the whole band.
Beyond the Blue Bird an album that is both approachable and varied, despite the dominance of blues. Multiple composers are featured: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Reece, Benny Carter, Barry Harris, Jerome Kern, and Thad Jones in addition to Flanagan and Burrell.
Beyond the Bluebird was recorded in 1990 and issued originally in Japan by Alfa. The Dutch release on the Timeless label did not occur until 1999, which seems strange given that it was recorded in Holland and produced by Timeless' founder Wim Wigt.
For my reviews of two other Tommy Flanagan albums, go to:
This is a fine recording; I believe I bought it a little over a year ago as an Amazon download - I thought the CD prices were a little high. Flanagan is a guy who always swings and sounds, to me, both elegant and earthy.
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