Search - Ran Blake, Christine Correa :: Roundabout

It's Round About Time to Meet Ran Blake

Gary L Connely | Hercules, CA | 01/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Avant-garde, third stream, jazz pianist Ran Blake has been recording for almost 50 years. He is best known for his solo work, although he has also recorded with sax players like Anthony Braxton, Clifford Jordan and Houston Person. And evey once in awhile, he cuts a record with a singer - most notably Jeanne Lee. In "Round About," Mr Blake is joined by vocalist Christine Correa.



At first listen, Mr Blake's stripped down, every note counts, style wouldn't seem to be suited to a singer. But his collaberations with Ms Lee are wonderful, and here, his work with Ms Correa is excellent. Ms Correa, (with whom I am unfamiliar), is a straight ahead, no frills stylist with a pleasing mid-register voice. She lacks Ms Lee's ability to "bend" her voice, but she fills those gaps between the notes that Mr Blake loves so much, almost perfectly.



The songs on "Round About" are a mix of standards and Mr. Blake's originals. And let's be candid - nobody has ever claimed that Mr Blake has an up-beat world view. With titles like "Last Train to Auschwitz" his music can be dark - but it is always elegant and deeply evocative.



And by the way, the only thing more mysterious than some of Mr Blake's music, are some of his liner notes. If you can figure out his song commentaries, you're way ahead of me - but the songs themselves are lovely."