Review of The Now & Then Trio Plus Friends
courtesy of EarBuzz.com
The Now & Then Trio's collection, "Plus Friends", contains 13
outstanding performances of traditional club small ensemble jazz
pieces, both instrumentals and songs with vocals by Connie Parker.
Stand up bass, mellow soothing jazz guitar, 'trap' subtle drums, and
coronet/flugelhorn are the main instruments performed by consummate
musicians who have reached a point in their careers when there is no
discerning point where the person ends and the instrument begins - they
are one. The record begins with an up-tempo 2,5,1 mover, "Just
Friends". Parker stands out with rich vocals and range. Fitting start
for a recording done with 'friends'. Track 2, "You and I", is an
ensemble composition with modulating and interesting melody that moves
to a B walking bass party from the initial shuffle feel. Outstanding
solo work by mainstay sax-man, Tommy Newsom; coronet master, Bob
Ransom; and fluid jazz guitarist, Flip Hoopes. Speaking of Flip - an
instrumental treat is in store in track 4, "Flip's Blues". This
original composition is accentuated by supportive vibes and friendly
but wise bass line movement. The final track, "The Theme", a Miles
Davis classic ends the record on the same note it started - with energy
and enthusiasm - the fun of the listening experience is only paralleled
by the musicians' obvious love for their craft. Perfectly mastered,
produced, performed, and a delight.
Reviews of Christmas Time Is Here
courtesy of EarBuzz.com
The Now and Then Trio's timeless 12-tune jazz christmas collection,
"Christmas Time is Here", launches into tasty renditions of holiday
favorites from the first strum of the jazz. The record opens with
"Winter Wonderland" and the walking bass line and modulating kinetic
guitar chord voicings establish a groove that is joined by muted
trumpet melody to a contrast and delight. The performances establish
the undeniable musicianship of guitarist Flip Hoopes; horn prowess of
take-no-prisoners Bob Ransom and 4-string Eddie Edwards on bass. Track
2 goes for the heart strings and secures them profoundly with a vibes
and mellow guitar/bass rendition of "Christmas Time is Here", made
famous in
A Charlie Brown Christmas. The cornet soars with emotion in
Ransom's solo section about three minutes in - perfect.
He continues
taking the melodic lead in the following track, "O Tanenbaum", but this
time on crisp and clear vibes. The trio give "We Three Kings" a
green-dolphin welcome in the be-bop version of the 6/8 classic. Track
9, "My Favorite Things", is a subtle and convincing version that
doesn't attempt to emulate Coltrane's classic, it paints a fast-moving
melodic performance with finesse and taste. The final hoiday answer is
track 12's, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Ransom's flugel
tone is perfect - with audible breath and key play that add to the
organic nature of this high quality recording of the the Martin/Blane
tune. All players get a pass at the dramatic progression through this
9-minute plus cut and so ends the record.
The collection really belongs
on every holiday/jazz lovers shelf for two main reason - the recording
is deft with pleasing interpretations of great jazz-based Christmas
music. And secondly, because the performances, strictly from an
instrumental purist level, are inspired and honest - this isn't a
regurgitated offering for an obligated holiday album - it's been
approached with the seriousness of any fine musical collection and
interpreted with respect to the composers and a desire to push the
tunes in new directions within a contemporary jazz place.
from the Enterprise of Davis, California:
The Now and Then Trio's quite pleasant "Christmas Time Is Here" (Weejazz 43754) is what my father would call a "tasty little album." The delivery is smooth and gentle, and the instrumentation is unusual: Flip Hoopes on guitar, Eddie Edwards on string bass, and Bob Ransom alternating on cornet, flugelhorn and vibes. The results convey varying moods, depending on what Ransom plays. I vastly prefer him on vibes; his melodic give-and-take with Hoopes on both "0 Christmas Tree" and "The Christmas Song" is contemplative, almost mysterious. Edwards also briefly takes the melody line during pleasing bass solos on both tracks.
The songs that employ cornet, in contrast, aren't as deliciously mellow; as an instrument, the cornet has a bright, tinny sound, and a little goes a long way. Ransom wisely reserves its use for the slightly more up-tempo numbers, notably "Let It Snow" and "We Three Kings." Finally, the atmosphere becomes plaintive and poignant when Ransom turns to the flugelhorn; his approach to "A Child Is Born" is quite lovely, and his version of "A Christmas Love Song" sounds more like a love lost, than one found ... not a bad choice, mind you, since the holiday season can turn bittersweet. The album concludes with Ransom on both vibes and flugelhorn, for a delicate version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It's more a lament than a joyful wish: an interpretation that will be appreciated by anybody with a cherished loved one who, by circumstance, is unable to be present.
—Derrick Bang, Enterprise entertainment editor