Recorded over the same three-day stretch in May 2002 as
Waltz Red Side, this
Steve Kuhn trio date covers the same nine standards and originals, though with one important difference:
Gary Peacock replaces
Eddie Gomez on this CD, with drummer
Billy Drummond present on both releases, sticking mostly to brushes.
Peacock has long been a potent soloist and supporting player; he projects his sound well, but plays with a bit more reserve than
Gomez, while he also refrains from softly singing along (something
Peacock would probably be unlikely to do since he has worked regularly with "singing" pianist
Keith Jarrett). This version of
Henry Mancini's "Charade" finds
Kuhn a bit more outgoing, utilizing lots of the sustain pedal.
Peacock introduces "Once Upon a Summertime" alone, setting up
Kuhn's shimmering arrangement, with the bassist alternating the lead with the pianist. The sauntering take of "My Buddy" (usually more popular with jazz vocalists than instrumentalists) and the dramatic rendition of
Kuhn's well-known "Years Later" are also highlights of these sessions.