Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Yvonnick Prene and Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots

3

Yvonnick Prene and Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots

By

Sign in to view read count
Yvonnick Prene and Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots
It is often said—rather nastily—that nobody can name five famous Belgians. Jazz fans can certainly name one: harmonicist Toots Thielemans.

Thielemans, who in 2014 announced his retirement at the age of 92, decamped from his homeland after the war to play with just about everyone in the US, including Charlie Parker and—primarily—George Shearing. He managed in the process to get the harmonica accepted as a serious—or reasonably serious—musical instrument.

Which is why Yvonnick Prene has titled his first album, Merci Toots. Prene, a Parisian now living in New York, earns a precarious living playing harmonica in clubs. He is backed by Pasquale Grasso, an Italian ex-pat, on guitar.

Their album is rooted in the bebop era, opening with Bud Powell's "Celia," which the troubled pianist first recorded in 1949 with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Max Roach. He was on temporary release from Creedmoor State Hospital, where he was undergoing psychiatric treatment. Curiously, given the circumstances, it's a cheery little tune, well suited to Prene's harmonica adaptation.

Tadd Dameron's "Dameronia" is less successful, tending to sound in this guise rather hollow. Fats Navarro—old queen that he was—would not have been amused.

Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight," Thielemans' own "Bluesette," and Paul Raye's "Star Eyes" work best of the rest, perhaps because they are less strictly bebop.

However, having said that, Prene's version of Parker's "Confirmation" very definitely has its moments.

One of the great problems with the harmonica is that- -even in the hands of a master such as Thielemans—a little goes a long way... and there's an awful lot of it here.

Track Listing

Celia; Dameronia; Koko; Round Midnight; Confirmation; Bebop; Bluesette; Little Girl Blue; Star Eyes.

Personnel

Yvonnick Prene
harmonica

Yvonnick Prene: harmonica; Pasquale Grasso: guitar.

Album information

Title: Merci Toots | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.