Bill Cunliffe was invited to do an updated arrangement of
Oliver Nelson's landmark album
Blues and the Abstract Truth, a tough challenge, given
Nelson's superb charts and the numerous all-stars he had on the 1961 session (pianist
Bill Evans, alto saxophonist/flautist
Eric Dolphy, and trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard in the front line). But the pianist tweaked each of the pieces just a bit, altered some of the instrumentation (a trombone replaces baritone sax, while soprano sax is added on some tracks), while also making subtle rhythmic changes at times. "Stolen Moments" has long since become a jazz standard and it is tough to measure up to
Nelson's second version (he scored an earlier one for a big band led by
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis), since
Dolphy (on flute),
Evans and
Nelson laid down such superb solos. But Andy Martin's vocal-like trombone is a highlight, even if
Cunliffe doesn't try to compete with
Evans' work. Trumpeter
Terell Stafford and Andy Martin burn in the playful "Hoe Down," while tenor saxophonist
Bob Sheppard wails in "Yearnin'." The closing two songs are originals by
Cunliffe that are in the spirit of
Nelson (who died at age 43 of a heart attack in 1975). Tribute albums are always difficult, as they aren't intended to replace the recordings they honor, but
Bill Cunliffe has easily achieved his goal on this rewarding CD. ~ Ken Dryden