Search - Harold Ashby :: Just for You

Very Nice

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 07/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent-sounding release from Mapleshade is worth picking up for one incredibly beautiful and moving cut, "Lotus Blossom" by Billy Strayhorn. What tenor saxophonist Harold Ashby, pianist John Hicks, bassist Keter Betts, and drummer Jimmy Cobb are able to achieve on this tune defies my humble attempts to describe it. Nearly half the time is taken up by a soulful bowed-bass and piano duet of surpassing loveliness, then Ashby comes in with his horn, and things get even better. Jazz perfection!



The clean sound captured by Mapleshade makes it all the better. There are some other good performances on this CD, but as I said at the outset, "Lotus Blossom" is worth buying this CD for just by itself--the other nice cuts are a wonderful bonus. Ashby has a big, breathy tone reminiscent of Ben Webster, plus a tender way with a melody that will draw you right in. His sidemen support him ably, making this a most rewarding recording that is best played late at night."

Excellent music

Joseph Reader | USA | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not much of a jazz fan, though I certainly like this lovely, rather mellow music. And it is very well recorded. This is one of the relatively few jazz CDs that I listen to. If you like jazz that is not out of control, yet not boring, you might well like this."