The first of two
Ran Blake solo albums cut for the GM label, this CD may not offer the "compleat"
Blake, but it does feature the dramatic pianist (who constantly improvises while making every note count) in particularly inventive form and is a strong introduction to his unique playing. With one exception ("Impresario of Death"), the pianist sticks to standards, but he makes them sound unlike any previous rendition. He interprets three very different versions of "Maple Leaf Rag" (a fourth is on the second volume), three
Duke Ellington songs (including "Drop Me Off in Harlem"), and numbers by
Mary Lou Williams,
George Russell,
Pete Rugolo,
Stan Kenton and
Jerome Kern, plus the standard "Moonlight on the Ganges." Highly recommended, as are most of
Ran Blake's unique recordings. ~ Scott Yanow