After several excellent dates as a leader, this Geoff Keezer session comes up short by comparison. The culprits are the extremely dull, new-agey "Island Palace" and "Bibo No Aozora," which are both infused with electronic keyboards and programming as well as forgettable melodies. They are way out of place on what otherwise is an outstanding jazz CD. Fortunately, the remainder of this release is quite enjoyable. Bassist Christian McBride and saxophonist Joshua Redman join Keezer on his playful tribute to his daughter, "Precious One," and an adventuresome take of "Stompin' at the Savoy." Diana Krall adds strong vocals to "Love Dance" and a touching version of "The Nearness of You." Keezer's solo covers of "My Shining Hour" and "Lush Life" capture the essence of these familiar standards, while his solo take of "Lose My Breath" (written by the pop group My Bloody Valentine) also proves to be a captivating, melancholy ballad. - by Ken Dryden, AMG
Artist: Geoff Keezer
Album: Turn Up the Quiet
Year: 1996
Quality: eac-flac, cue, log, artw.
Label: Columbia (1997)
Runtime: 61:24
Tracks:
1. Stompin' at the Savoy (Benny Goodman/Andy Razaf/Chick Webb/Edgar Sampson) 4:57
2. The Nearness of You (Ned Washington/Hoagie Carmichael) 5:40
3. Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn) 3:33
4. Island Palace (Geoff Keezer) 6:46
5. Madame Grenouille (Geoff Keezer) 8:37
6. Lose My Breath (Kevin Shields) 3:21
7. Rose (Ryuichi Sakamoto) 6:13
8. My Shining Hour (Harold Arlen) 3:00
9. Precious One (Geoff Keezer) 6:33
10. Love Dance (Ivan Lins/G. Panzetta/Paul Williams) 5:25
11. Bibo No Aozora (Ryuichi Sakamoto/Akiko Uchida Pavolka/Geoff Keezer) 7:14
Personnel:
Geoff Keezer (Piano)
Christian McBride (Double Bass) - 1,2,4,5,9
Joshua Redman (Tenor Saxophone) - 1,2,5,7,9
Diana Krall (Vocals) - 2,4,10,11
Cyro Baptista (Bass Drum, Percussion) - 4,11
Scott Frankfurt (Wallett, Hi-Hat) - 4
Nona Hendryx (Backing Vocals) - 4
Jason Miles (Programming) - 4,11
Tony McAnany (Backing Vocals) - 11
Laura Bontrager (Cello) - 11
Maria Kitsopoulos (Cello) - 11
Maureen McDermott (Cello) - 11
Caryl Paisner (Cello) - 11