Randy Kline, who is best-known as a lyricist of witty songs, came up with a very different idea for his second Jazzheads release. This purely instrumental date finds him playing supportive piano behind bassist
Harvie Swartz on ten originals (nine by Kline and one by
Swartz). The music is taken up almost entirely by bass solos with Kline sticking nearly exclusively to the background. With the exception of "I Got an Itch" and "Oodling," all of the performances are ballads. Obviously this is a recording for listeners who love the sound of the acoustic bass.
Harvie Swartz does have an attractive tone and, even with the lack of variety, the project succeeds within its limited scope. ~ Scott Yanow