If you've ever witnessed ocean
waves in their relentless pursuit of the shore, you might find a comparison in
the piano marvel known as Dave McKenna, especially in his left hand where those
never ending "waves" just keep rolling in. Thanks to Arbors Records who
somehow found this well recorded live solo concert by the late piano phenom, we
are privileged to hear Dave McKenna's unique magic one more time in this
previously unreleased gem. A peerless melody player who knew a
"zillion" tunes, McKenna loved to play medleys of long admired
standards. On this disc, he gives us a few of them including one on Vernon Duke
tunes like "Autumn In New York", "April In Paris", "I
Can't Get Started", "What Is There To Stay", and "I Like
The Likes Of You". Or how about another medley centered around tunes
dealing with "time". Hence we have "Time On My Hands",
"Bidin' My Time", "Some Other Time", and "Time After
Time". Other highlights include non-medley entries like "Exactly Like
You", "Detour Ahead", "Too Marvelous For Words", and a
certified romp on the bop staple "Crazeology". Mc Kenna was an
immediately recognizable treasure of the American Songbook. Hearing him once
again in this delightful concert setting is something akin to a rich dessert!
Arbors Records; 2018; appx. 63
min.
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