Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » John Donegan - The Irish Sextet: Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet: Light Streams
Art Blakey
drums1919 - 1990
Art Farmer
flugelhorn1928 - 1999
Barney Kessel
guitar, electric1923 - 2004
Louis Stewart
guitarb.1944
Once again, Donegan delivers a program of ten original compositions. The format, as on Shadows Linger, stays faithful to the classic hard-bop school of jazz, with catchy headsplayed in richly textured unison by tenor saxophonist
Richie Buckley
saxophoneMichael Buckley
saxophoneLinley Hamilton
trumpetb.1965
John Daly
drumsDan Bodwell
bassThere is more than a hint of
John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967
McCoy Tyner
piano1938 - 2020
Donegan's arrangements take full advantage of the dynamics at his disposal; his multi-part horn linesfor unison and counterpointare handsomely committed, while the freer passages that invite saxophones and trumpet to play fast and loose, notably on "Showtime," share something of the swagger of
Charles Mingus
bass, acoustic1922 - 1979
However, some of the most alluring play comes at slower tempi. Donegan pens a pretty ballad, with Bodwell delivering a fine solo on the brushes-steered "Along Came Freddie," while tender solos from Michael Buckley, on soprano, and Richie, on tenor, illuminate "Close Nearby." The pick of the bunch is the impressionistic title track, which features an enchanting flute solo from Michael Buckley, and a beautifully weighted response from the leader.
There is a fluid round of baton-passing on the brightly swinging "Seb's Story" and samba-fueled exuberance on "Sinto-me Bem." Donegan is the sole protagonist of "Sonorial," a delicate piano miniature which shows a more introspective side of his playing. The sextet finishes on a rousing note with "Blues for KJ;" Burning solos pepper this infectious number, with its shades of
Fats Domino
piano1928 - 2017
With good tunes, handsome arrangements and more cracking solos than one can shake a hurl at, this is a highly enjoyable set from the veteran Irish pianist and a sextet which is really into its stride. ">
Track Listing
Whats This?; Close Nearby; Reflect On This; Along Came Freddie; Sebs Story; Light Streams; Showtime; Sonorial; Sinto-me Bem; Blues for KJ
Personnel
John Donegan
pianoMichael Buckley
saxophoneRichie Buckley
saxophoneLinley Hamilton
trumpetJohn Daly
drumsDan Bodwell
bassAdditional Instrumentation
John Donegan: piano; Michael Buckley: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Richie Buckley: tenor saxophone; Linley Hamilton: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dan Bodwell: double bass; John Daley: drums.
Album information
Title: Light Streams | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Jayde Records
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