Gordon Beck Trio - Not the Last Waltz

All Music Guide

Gordon Beck should be consider one of England's best kept secrets, since most of his recordings as a leader haven't been issued outside of Europe. This English concert is a happy exception, so the New World should understand why European jazz fans have been raving about for decades.Right away Beck shows himself to be a mature leader, generously featuring solos by bassist Bruno Rousselet and drummer Philippe Soirat in his bouncing treatment of Ron Carter's “Einbahnstrasse." His postbop blues “Miss Day" suggests a complex lady with many facets, hinting at her mystery with a dissonant introduction before opening up its theme to a much brighter setting. Beck introduces Cole Porter's “Everything I Love" alone in a subdued mood, switching to a brisk tempo as his group joins in, with Rousselet adding another fine solo, backed by Soirat's crisp brushwork. “Not the Last Waltz" actually has a waltz rhythm, but its furious theme and lively tempo would tire most dancers in a hurry.The elegant line...s of Beck's treatment of “This Heart of Mine," with Rousselet's independent bass line, suggests the influence of the Bill Evans Trio, though the late lamented pianist never recorded this standard. Evidently there was a technical problem at the start of “Race Against Time," as the music is faded up as it gets underway. But this minor complaint doesn't really mar this intense postbop vehicle, yet another original by Beck. The English portion of the CD concludes with “Blues in G," a sauntering, catchy groove that doubtlessly set its audience in motion shaking and foot tapping along with it. The final selection, Ron Carter's “First Trip," was recorded in Paris six months earlier; Beck's extended workout is infused with complex variations of its bluesy theme. This top notch CD deserves to be the one to make the jazz community as a whole to take notice of the extremely talented Gordon Beck. - Ken Dryden, All Music Guide Read more Less