Search - Willie Pickens :: Dark Eyes

QUIET FIRE

Phillip F. Wroblewski | Escondido, CA United States | 03/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, which got 4 stars in recent DownBeat review, is not available in the United States. My copy, from Japan, is entitled: DARK EYES. Whatever the title...it's simply beautiful. This is the latest recording of Willie Pickens (a much ignored musician outside of Chicago and Japan). This may be Mr. Pickens' best album (although Jazz Christmas with Nicholas Payton makes a tie). The Willie Pickens Trio, in this case, is George Mraz (b) and Joe Farnsworth (d) and, of course, the quiet fire of Willie Pickens. The trio work is flawless and smooth---always burning with that intensity which is the hallmark of great jazz. Pickens' ideas quickly flow and shift from one level to another with seamless ease. He is clearly well seasoned, but he "cooks" like a much younger pianist. His touch is sure, strong, and nimble. An example: Un Poco Loco. He (and the trio) have been extremely faithful to Bud's original. Willie has taken all of Bud's main ideas and improvises around them like a jet-propelled butterfly. It's worth the album just to hear that.In addition, there are some ballads woven into complex tapestries of melody: eg. Polka Dots and Moonbeams. And as for his rendition of Blues March-I had forgotten (or perhaps never fully realized) how pretty the melody could be. I'd give this album 6 stars if you would let me."