Search - Paul Schmeling :: Stardust

Paul did a good job of tackling the Hoagy Carmichael songbok

Philip Scott | U.S.A. | 10/08/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"To begin with please allow me to give you a little bit of history about Hoagy Carmichael. Hoagy only wrote about three hundred songs in his long career and had about ten or twelve mega hits. When one tries to do a tribute to him I think the focus should be limited to his mega hits. The reason for this belief is that not many of the non hits of Hoagy were not very melodic. For this project Paul and his trio were very much up to the task of paying tribute to Hoagy. Paul showcased his great piano skills with these tunes used as his pawn. I think for the most part Paul did a good job, but there was a point that I felt like his improvisional skills ran wild. A good example of this was Pauls' take on "Georgia". He really overdid this improvisation thing on this tune.To speak a little bit about what I feel improvisation is to bring to a song, is easy. Improvisation is ment to add to or highlilght a thought that the composer might have had in mind. Normally improvisation comes after the verse or chorus. It usually enters on a pause of the song. I will say this, there are many ways to improvise and all are ok as long as they allow the song to retain it's identity. When we loose track of the song, that's when I feel the real problem begins.I think in all fairness to Paul and his trio I should recommend this cd."