Dark and Beautiful

by Kenny Drew Trio, Kenny Drew

Overview

Kenny Drew had previously worked with bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, but these 1974 recordings, made on two consecutive days, mark their first recorded work as a trio. This mid-priced two-CD compilation features the complete contents of two earlier Steeplechase albums (Dark Beauty and If You Could See Me Now). Unlike many piano-led trios, Drew features his sidemen prominently in a variety of settings. Heath's mallet work and Pedersen's warm arco bass add to the luster of the leader's moving ballad "Dark Beauty." The rapid-fire take of Miles Davis' "All Blues" adds several twists to the trumpeter's famous modal theme. Drew's rubato introduction to "It Could Happen to You" evolves into a brisk bluesy swinger. On the latter session, the trio's introspective exploration of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," Drew's spiritual-flavored "All Souls Here," and an adventurous take of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" are among the highlights. Both dates were beautifully recorded by engineer Freddy Hansson, who obviously sought to make the most out of these performances by the Kenny Drew Trio. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	01/23/1996
Label:	STEEPLECHASE
UPC:	0716043701124

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Run Away
2. Dark Beauty
3. Summer Night
4. All Blues
5. A Felicidade
6. It Could Happen to You
7. Love Letters
8. Silk Bossa
9. Blues Inn
10. In Your Own Sweet Way
11. A Stranger in Paradise

Disc 2

12. In Your Own Sweet Way
13. If You Could See Me Now
14. All Souls Here
15. I'm Old Fashioned
16. Free Flight
17. Run Away
18. Summer Night 1
19. A Stranger in Paradise
20. Prelude to a Kiss
21. This Is the Moment
22. Oleo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kenny Drew Trio   Primary Artist
Kenny Drew   Primary Artist,Piano
Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen   Bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath   Drums

Technical Credits

Sonny Rollins   Composer
Kenny Drew Trio   Performer
Kenny Drew   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Chris Sheridan   Liner Notes
Irving Gordon   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Freddy Hansson   Engineer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Nils Winther   Producer,Photography
Miles Davis   Composer
George Forrest   Composer
Per Carsten   Composer
Thomas Clausen   Composer
Carl Sigman   Composer
Al Dubin   Composer
Antonio Carlos Jobim   Composer
Alexander Borodin   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Dave Brubeck   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Robert Wright   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Tadd Dameron   Composer
Jerome Kern   Composer