Bassist Bill Crow is better-known for his work as a sideman than as a leader, but his second CD for Venus validates the old saying "better late than never." Once again joined by tenor saxophonist Carmen Leggio, guitarist
Joe Cohn, and drummer David Jones, Crow leads his quartet through 12 tunes, mixing standards, classic jazz compositions, and a pair of originals. The buoyant take of
Oscar Pettiford's "Bohemia After Dark" has great solos by each member of the band, while Leggio and
Cohn trade tasty licks during "In a Mellotone." Crow's arrangement of "'Round Midnight" is played at a brisker than usual tempo with a bossa nova rhythm, while Leggio's mellow tenor sax swings like mad in
Lester Young's "Tickletoe." "On the Alamo" is a once-popular tune that has long since fallen out of favor, though the quartet's delightful exploration of this old chestnut works beautifully. "Mack the Knife" is in danger of overexposure, but this fresh interpretation does not settle for the predictable paths.
Crow's composition, "Jazz Anecdotes," salutes the spirit of
Count Basie's band, while his "Tarrytown" is a lush ballad showcasing the leader first. The only odd thing about this Japanese CD is that only eight of the 12 tracks are listed on the mini-LP jacket -- not exactly intelligent packaging. But the intimate sound of this very well-knit quartet throughout the sessions make this a warmly recommended title for fans of swing, bop, or cool jazz. ~ Ken Dryden