(Groovy Todd)
Yeah, that's right, accordion.
Todd Hildreth, the pianist renowned for his jazz performances, has two new recordings. One’s a piano jazz trio, but this one is what it says it is.
This is lady and the tramp sharing spaghetti music. This is cotton candy at the State Fair music. Post-modern cartoon music. Comparisons are unavoidable, albeit unfortunate. This is serious music, played with whimsy and a lack of inhibition.
Bassist Fitzgerald provides nimble, consistent support, especially on Blue Monk". Wagner stands out on guitar: almost as good as Django, if not quite AS beautiful.
The trio speeds through "You and the Night and the Music", landing somewhere between polka and bluegrass. Hildreth's accordion playing on "The Days of Wine and Roses" suggests a saxophone, Dexter Gordon alone in Paris. All three shine equally on a contemplative “Stella by Starlight”. Crowded House's “Don’t Dream It's Over” is a nice try, but suffers without vocals. "Body and Soul" might have been better served by a piano but is still romantic.
c. 2005 LEO Weekly
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