Benny Green
Benny Green and Russell Malone Bluebird
(Telarc)
Review by Matt Robinson
Opening
with a groove that is part Ray Charles, part Vince Guiraldi, piano man
Benny Green reenters his relationship with guitarist Russell Malone
through the appropriately titled “Reunion Blues.” After a duet of Cole
Porter’s “It’s Alright with Me” that careens from up-tempo to almost out
of control, Malone’s chugging strum and bright melody help bring Stevie
Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” smoothly back to earth. Green’s
spacious solo arrangement of “Who Can I Turn To?” keeps the classic tune
fresh and interesting, and Malone’s own “Flowers for Emmett Till” is a
memorial soliloquy to this young martyr that smacks gently of James
Taylor. The duets of “Love for Sale” and Charlie Parker’s title track find
Green and Malone dropping notes among each other’s Blues rhythms,
demonstrating a well-honed sympatico between two talented young artists.
- Matthew S. Robinson
c. 2004, M. S. Robinson, ARR
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