Larry Goldings - Moonbird (Palmetto, 1999)

Larry Goldings, organ
Peter Bernstein, guitar
Bill Stewart, drums

Recorded February 27, 1999

Venue and engineer not reported

Larry Goldings has been a favorite of mine for a long time. With Peter Bernstein on guitar and Bill Stewart on drums, Goldings has all the resources he needs for a clean, contemporary style. He eschews the theatrics that many Hammond B3 organists favor, as well as the soul jazz that was popularized in the 1960s. Goldings is also a pianist, which helps to understand his approach to the organ.

The same group sometimes records under Bernstein's name, with similar results. The guitarist is currently among the giants of jazz, but his work with Goldings began only six years into his recording career.

Drummer Stewart is also a long-time member of Goldings' trio. Like Bernstein, Stewart has become a first-call drummer and an asset to the many recording he appears on. 

The repertoire on Moonbird includes originals from all three players and covers of jazz standards, show tunes, and popular music. A key track is "Woodstock," Joni Mitchell's hippie anthem from the 1970s. At over 10 minutes in length, "Woodstock" feels like a story that progresses gently through multiple chapters. Clearly, the song has special meaning for Goldings, who was born in 1968, one year before the legendary Woodstock festival. 

Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," is from the same era. Like "Woodstock," Newman's composition addresses serious matters, e.g., depression and isolation. Goldings' versions of these songs are genuine and respectful, creating an effective balance to an otherwise upbeat album. The opener, "Crawdaddy," is the one bow toward soulful funk.

I recall seeing Goldings' trio play a short set in 1996 during the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Atlanta. They were one of two Warner Brothers bands I saw, Kenny Garrett being the other. It was a great way to sample bands I liked without any travel, admission charge, or overpriced alcohol. Just walk from the Marta station into the hotel and find who you want to hear. My friend Max from Miami was there too. Not often do I get to reunite with a friend at a free concert in my city. Live jazz my way. 

In August 2026 Goldings' trio released Rhombus, a new album marking 35 years since their first recording together. Such longevity of personnel in the same band is a rarity in jazz. Rhombus is also their first album to be released on vinyl since 1993's Light Blue (Minor Music). The music on Rhombus is great. Having never heard them on vinyl before, I can appreciate more of the group's subtle interactions, not to mention the superior sonic presentations of the organ and drums.