Search - Young-Holt Trio :: Wack Wack / On Stage

The Young Holt Trio; a rare treat.

Jolyon de Fossard | Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom | 08/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Young Holt Trio (Don Walker, Piano; Eldee Young, Bass and Red Holt, Drums) played the most exciting, vibrant and swinging jazz versions of popular tunes. Their style not only encompassed original improvisations that make you re-evaluate jazz and pop standards but it also relied upon a powerful and captivating rhythm section. This may sound like the idle boast of an undoubted fan but it cannot be dismissed as such when the Trio's provenance is known. Those familiar with the Ramsey Lewis Trio will already have heard Eldee Young and Red Holt for it was these gentlemen who played with the Ramsey Lewis Trio when it had the hits "Hang on Sloopy" and "The "In" Crowd". Ramsey subsequently moved on to other things leaving Young and Holt to ply their skills with a new and entirely different pianist; Hysear Don Walker. Walker's playing is fascinating. He can play warm, fat and relaxing chords that just flow over you as if you're being gently lapped by the waves of a warm sea. He is no middle of the road elevator musician, though. He has a heart and soul of jazz and the technical virtuosity needed to express his feelings to profound effect. He gently builds on the existing melody in the numbers he plays with subtlety and skill. A song starts reassureingly and sometimes even quietly. Don't be fooled; he's just laying down the ground rules of melody and rhythm that he'll build on to make the tune his own and reinvent it in your mind. As I've said, he's not the only hero. This isn't a lone star shining in a dull firmament. Young's bass playing has to be heared to be believed. Listen to him in "Song For My Father" and "Sunny". Ever tried plucking a string on a Double Bass or Bass Cello ? Well, try it and then try and tell me how he can play so fast, so loudly...so softly. If I'm saying he's dextrous then I'm not saying enough. He has a cart load of Jazz in him and he's full of Soul. On to Holt. When I heard this album for the first time I thought there were two drummers in it. Hearing him, you can feel the pleasure he has in playing Jazz. His percussion pulsates with unerring energy. When he really gets going he's not just relying on sticks and feet with which to make music but hands and elbows too ! He also has been credited with being the first percussionist to sucessfully introduce the tambourine into Jazz. Not possible you say ? Well, just listen to him.So in the Young Holt Trio you will hear three excellent Jazzmen. But you will not merely hear three separate soloists; not just a trio of musicians; The Young Holt Trio is a Triumvirate. Each member is a truly indespensible contributor to the whole, and the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. They read each other and complement each other. In this album you will find up beat, positive and startling interpretations of well known numbers. They are played by people who excel in their art. You owe it to yourself to join in and have some fun."

Vote Young-Holt Unlimited

Pete Bondurant | PARIS France | 09/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Did these guys ever make a bad song? If you find one, please don't let me know. Also, check out their long time friend Ramsey Lewis, on which records their appear frequently."