Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dan Adler: Back to The Bridge

Dan Adler: Back to The Bridge

By Ernest Barteldes
January 9, 2011
View read count

Israeli-born guitarist Dan Adler sets the tone for his second disc, Back to The Bridge, with "Silver And Gold," an original tune filled with smart licks and many improvisational bits shared with his band mates, organist

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco and drummer

Byron Landham

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Byron Landham. The disc is a mix of covers and new material suited for the organ trio format—Adler's first disc as a bandleader in this format.

According to Scott Yanow's liner notes, "Silver and Gold" was written as a homage to pianist and bandleader

Horace Silver

piano
1928 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Horace Silver, and the muse is tangible. The track swings heavily, and the chemistry between the three musicians—DeFrancesco and Landham regularly play together—can immediately be felt. Joe Bushkin's "Oh, Look At Me Know" follows, an up-tempo, blues-inflected tune that highlights both Adler and DeFrancesco. The title track begins with the rhythm section, and Adler almost immediately heads towards a more improvisational mode when he joins in, after a few bars His solos reflect the influence of

Joe Pass

guitar
1929 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Pass and

John Scofield

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">John Scofield, but it is evident that the bandleader has a voice of his own with his nuanced style.

The sole nod to his native land is David Zehavi's "Yatsanu At (We Left Slowly)," a slow number whose original Hebrew lyrics speak of soldiers that leave their families to missions from which they might not return. It is a great opportunity for the musicians to improvise, as there is more space for longer-lasting notes and instrumental fluidity.

The disc closes with "The Smudge," an up-tempo

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson blues performed in a very playful fashion. Adler does not fill his solos with too many notes, allowing the tune to keep its original, smoky feel. DeFrancesco also contributes a magnificent solo while doing a classic walking bass accompaniment on the pedals, giving Back To The Bridge a very suitable conclusion.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Silver And Gold; Oh, Look At Me Now; Joy Spring; Back To The Bridge; Good Old Days; A Beautiful Friendship; Yatsanu At (We Left Slowly); Between Jobs; I've Never Been In Love Before; The Smudge.

Personnel

Dan Adler

guitar

Dan Adler: guitar; Joey DeFrancesco; organ; Byron Landham: drums.

Album information

Title: Back To The Bridge | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Cook (Expanded Deluxe Edition)
< Previous

Art Tatum Goes To College
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.