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Christian McBride, Edgar Meyer: But Who's Gonna Play The Melody?
ByEmblematic of

Christian McBride
bassb.1972

Edgar Meyer
bassb.1960
Joshua Bell
violin
Bela Fleck
banjob.1958

Yo-Yo Ma
cellob.1955
McBride answers those compositional hijinks with "Bebop, Of Course" and, as the duo reels and rolls from that throbbing bounce-a-thon, they willingly engage in "Bass Duo #1," a complex yet informal and actively conversational Meyer invention. In the overall scheme of things, it comes as no surprise that the duo follow up with a romping take on

Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991
"Canon," with its chamber echoes and achingly emotive arching, catches the lift and frees itself with "Philly Slop," a noir jump-hop which the ever- agile duo jitterbug merrily through. On "FRB 2DB" Meyer thoroughly enjoys his time on the grittier side of the classical tracks and McBride is gleeful to be his bro-boy companion.
With McBride sidling over to the piano to provide delicate guardrails, an extremely wistful "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," gracefully unravels as Meyer takes his bow to the tune and soars. "Bass Duo # 2" pops as elegantly and playfully as its predecessor, with the two masters slurring, walking, giving way. It is a six-minute lesson in the art of being human, ready to compromise for the better of all, here and now, ready to support, to huddle, to move forward towards a more perfect union. And that is what But Who's Gonna Play The Melody? is really all about. ">
Track Listing
Green Slime; Barnyard Disturbance; Bebop, of Course; Bass Duo #1; Solar; Canon; Philly Slop; Interlude #1; FRB 2DB; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; Bass Duo #2; Lullaby for a Ladybug; Days of Wine and Roses; Interlude #2; Tennessee Blues.
Personnel
Christian McBride
bassEdgar Meyer
bassAdditional Instrumentation
Christian McBride: acoustic bass #1-7, 9-11, 13-15; piano #8, 12. Edgar Meyer: acoustic bass #1-9, 11-13; piano #10, 14.
Album information
Title: But Who's Gonna Play The Melody? | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records
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