Standard Transmission

by Bruce Williamson, Bruce Williamson Quartet

Overview

One of the benefits of the Origin label is they give exposure to talents deserving of greater recognition, whether they are new up-and-coming artists or veterans like Bruce Williamson. In spite of his contributions as a sideman over several decades with Jack McDuff, Fred Hersch, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, and Toshiko Akiyoshi (in addition to many others), plus leading his own groups, nearly two decades lapsed before the appearance of this follow-up to his debut recording. Williamson, who is joined by old friend Art Lande on piano, bassist Peter Barshay, and drummer Alan Hall, is a mature player whose experience comes through in his tight, never wasteful solos, though he plays several different instruments. Alto sax is his primary choice, though in his buoyant setting of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" he doubles on bass clarinet in the background. The novel approach to "Just You, Just Me" unfolds as a series of duets by different instruments in pairs. Another surprise is the freewheeling arrangement of "All of Me," which is almost always played as a low-key maudlin ballad, but Williamson reharmonizes it dramatically and plays some wild lines on soprano sax. The leader plays flute in a lyrical treatment of "The Touch of Your Lips"; Lande switches to melodica to back Williamson's alto, giving this normally bittersweet piece a bit of a whimsical air. The sole original is his infectious, bluesy "Large Barge." Hopefully, Bruce Williamson will not need to wait so long to record his third CD as a leader, as this rewarding date merits a prompt follow-up. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	08/17/2010
Label:	Origin Records
UPC:	0805558256721

Tracks

1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
2. Mamacita
3. Large Barge
4. Just You, Just Me
5. All of Me
6. Steps to a Woven Dream: You Stepped Out of a Dream/Weaver of Dreams
7. Don't Blame Me
8. Sweet and Lovely
9. Nature Boy
10. The Touch of Your Lips
11. Mysterious Moon: Misterioso/How High the Moon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bruce Williamson   Primary Artist,Flute,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano),Clarinet (Bass)
Bruce Williamson Quartet   Primary Artist
Alan Hall   Drums
Peter Barshay   Bass
Art Lande   Piano,Melodica,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Eden Ahbez   Composer
Cookie Marenco   Mixing,Engineer
Joe Henderson   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Jesse Greer   Composer
Nacio Herb Brown   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Morgan Lewis   Composer
Art Lande   Arranger
Stevin McNamara   Mastering
Gerald Marks   Composer
David Belove   Photography
Bruce Williamson   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
John Bishop   Cover Layout
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Scott Yanow   Liner Notes
David Silver   Photography
Dan Wood   Photography
Gus Amheim   Composer
Shehrezad Maher   Cover Art
Seymour Simons   Composer
Ray Noble   Composer