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Henry Robinett Quartet: Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again

By Pierre Giroux
February 23, 2021
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Henry Robinett Quartet: Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again

Guitarist

Henry Robinett

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Robinett is a patient man. In April 2000, when he was between gigs and bands, he brought together several top players from Northern California and, in two days, recorded two albums the first of which was called Jazz Standards, Volume 1: Then (Nefertiti 2019) . Now with the release of Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again we have the complete output from this aggregation which, in addition to Robinett, includes

Joe Gilman

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Gilman on piano,

Chris Symer

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Symer on bass and

Michael Stephans

drums
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Stephans on drums.

The music presented here is very much standard songbook material. Compositions by Jimmy Van Heusen are at the forefront, with four of his most recognizable numbers dominating the set list, "Like Someone In Love," "I Thought About You," "Darn That Dream" and "It Could Happen To You." The band, led by Robinett's guitar, glides through these numbers with an easy grace, picking up the cleverly calibrated dynamics offered by the structure of the material.

The poet, writer and critic Dorothy Parker wrote the lyrics on "How Am I To Know" to the music composed by Jack King. Written originally as a ballad and recorded as such in 1946 by

Billie Holiday

vocals
1915 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Billie Holiday, it nevertheless found a place as a swinger and was covered by

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans on his album Peace, Piece (Milestone 1975). The quartet decided that the latter interpretation fitted their style, and even slightly upped the tempo. Robinett's fingers dash over the stings like a water-bug, and Gilman delivers a thoughtful piano solo in a striking linear construction.

There are three jazz oriented compositions in this session, namely the

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis composition "Milestones" and two

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk numbers; "Monk's Mood" and "San Francisco Holiday (Worry Later)." The version of "Milestones" presented here is not the same composition as that offered on the album of the same name (Columbia 1958), but rather the number written by

John Lewis

piano
1920 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lewis and credited to Davis when he was with the

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker group. There is no musical relationship between the two numbers. On the Davis number, both Robinett and Gilman develop an interesting integrated bop line which carries the frame forward before Robinett takes off on his creative solo. As the number progresses, bassist Symer displays his big-toned notes with weight and force, followed by drummer Stephans taking an interesting tour of his drum-kit with a heated but unflashy approach.

The final two tracks are the Monk compositions and they are unmistakable in their provenance. The band is in a solid groove with faithful command of the material and the improvisations are full of creativity and surprise.

Sometimes the old stuff is the best stuff.

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Track Listing

Yours Is My Heart Alone; Like Someone In Love; I Thought About You; On The Street Where You Live; Milestones (original version); Body And Soul; How Am I To Know; Darn That Dream; I Love You; It Could Happen To You; Monk's Mood; San Francisco Holiday(Worry Later)

Personnel

Henry Robinett

guitar

Joe Gilman

piano

Chris Symer

bass

Michael Stephans

drums

Album information

Title: Jazz Standards Volume 2: Then Again | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Nefertiti Records

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