Although pianist Walter Bishop had played earlier with
Charlie Parker and was quite active throughout the 1950s, this Black Lion session was his first as a leader. Teamed with bassist
Jimmy Garrison in his pre-
Coltrane period (
Garrison's bowed solos sound a bit like
Paul Chambers) and drummer G.T. Hogan,
Bishop performs six jazz standards which are augmented by three previously unreleased alternate takes; both of these version of "Speak Low" were released for the first time on this 1989 CD. Nothing all that remarkable occurs but fans of bebop-oriented piano trios will enjoy this music. Highlights include "Blues in the Closet," "Speak Low" and one of the first "cover" versions of "Milestones." ~ Scott Yanow