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Nate Radley: The Big Eyes
ByThe Big Eyes finds Radley debuting in the leader's chair, serving up out an original and forward-looking sound. The set of all original material opens with "Boo," an eerie, medium-heat cooker featuring the guitarist's Winter Fruits employer, Stillman, on alto sax. The mood is atmospheric, gloomy and introspective, carrying over to "January." Stillman's approach is consistently understated, with a smoldering intensity as he moves in a quartet mode, with Fender Rhodes, bass and drums, on "Ascent." Here, and throughout this compelling disc, there's a sense of potential power reigned in for the purposes of exploring the crags and crevasses of Radley's thoughtful compositions.
"Silver Lining" shines brighter than the rest of the set, Radley sending out glowing chords in front of Poor's mischievous jumble of percussion, while "Archipelago" has a pastoral and pensive feeling, leading into the title tune and the disc's highlight, featuring Stillman whispering on alto sax around Radley's nuanced, singe-note ruminations. "Wise River" finds Radley working in trio format with bass and drums, the music flowing at a deliberate and contemplative pace. The tune has a modern folksiness, not unlike some of guitarist Bill Frisell's work.
With The Big Eyes, Radley's move from sideman to leader is an excellent introduction to a rising jazz talent.
Track Listing
Boo, January; Ascent; Silver Lining; Archipelago; The Big Eyes; Wise River; Blue Square; All That's Solid.
Personnel
Nate Radley
guitarNate Radley: guitar; Loren Stillman: alto saxophone; Pete Rende: Fender Rhodes; Matt Pavolka: bass; Ted Poor: drums.
Album information
Title: The Big Eyes | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Fresh Sound New Talent
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nate radley
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan McClenaghan
Fresh Sound New Talent
United States
Loren Stillman
Gary Versace
Ted Poor
Marc Mommaas
Vic Juris
Rez Abbasi
Bill Frisell
The Big Eyes