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Lee Konitz In The 1980s
Harold Danko
pianob.1947
Lee Konitz
Round & Round
Nimbus
(1988) 2008
Round And Round is the reissue of a 1988 session originally released by Music Masters. The concept of the disc was to record pieces in 3/4 time. Some naturally fall into this metric category (
Sonny Rollins
saxophoneb.1930
Toots Thielemans
harmonica1922 - 2016
The disc starts out with a Konitz original, "Round And Round And Round," which actually tries to throw the listener off with a tricky theme played in multiple meters, before settling in a relaxed 3/4 groove. Konitz's alto work is inspired, especially on the latter half of the program. He plays soprano on two tracks but his soprano work is not as distinctive as that with the bigger horn. The rhythm section is solid and gives Konitz the support he needs. While this isn't the most dynamic Konitz recording of its era, it is still worth hearing.
Various Artists
The Song Is You
Douglas
(1981) 2009
In September 1981 drummer 
Jack DeJohnette
drums
b.1942
Chick Corea
piano
1941 - 2021
Miroslav Vitous
bass
b.1947
Anthony Braxton
woodwinds
b.1945
Pat Metheny
guitar
b.1954
From the 1960s through the 1980s Konitz seemed willing to experiment, working with many different players. The appearance of Konitz and Braxton playing together should raise eyebrows considering Konitz's controversial comments regarding Braxton in an issue of The Wire that caused some controversy a few years back. What is surprising is that at this concert, the two musicians seemed to work well together. Braxton gets a feature on "Impressions" and his solo is fierce and brilliant. Then he and Konitz share the rhythm section on "There Is No Greater Love," a piece Braxton had dissected many times. Yet here he seems to be working with Konitz and is almost deferential at times. But ultimately there seems to be a good bonhomie at work. The final track, "All Blues" is a little more rambling and the addition of Metheny with his heavily reverbed guitar seems out of place.
But this was a memorable concert and despite the less than ideal sound (Vitous' arco work sounds particularly shrill and poorly served), it's good to see the music on The Song Is You finally issued. (Note: It appears that the discs reverse the running order of the concert. CD2 starts the concert and CD1 is its second half).
Tracks and Personnel
Round & Round
Tracks: Round And Round And Round; Someday My Prince Will Come; Luv; Nancy; Boo Doo; Valse Hot; Lover Man; Bluesette; Giant Steps.
Personnel: Lee Konitz: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Fred Hersch: piano; Mike Richmond: bass; Adam Nussbaum: drums.
The Song Is You
Tracks: CD1: Impressions; No Greater Love; All Blues. CD2: Waltz; Isfahan; Stella By Starlight; Round Midnight.
Collective Personnel: Lee Konitz: alto saxophone; Anthony Braxton: alto saxophone; Chick Corea: piano; Pat Metheny: guitar; Miroslav Vitous: bass; Jack DeJohnette: drums.
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