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Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs from My Father

By Jack Bowers
September 1, 2021
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Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs from My Father

Songs from My Father. What a marvelous idea!—and not simply for the sentiment. Drummer

Gerry Gibbs

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Gibbs' father happens to be Hall of Fame vibraphonist (and sometime song writer)

" data-original-title="" title="">Terry Gibbs, who is still on the scene at ninety-seven (and, in fact, making a guest appearance on the first disc of this superlative two-CD set). Eighteen of the elder Gibbs' songs, written between 1949 and 1985 (and one more, "Tango for Terry," by the late

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea) are performed by four of his son's well-chosen (and well-named) Thrasher Dream Trios, whose members include pianists

Kenny Barron

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Barron,

Patrice Rushen

keyboards
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Patrice Rushen, Geoff Keezer, Corea (the last recorded appearance before his passing in February 2021), organist

Larry Goldings

organ, Hammond B3
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Goldings and bassists

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter,

Buster Williams

bass, acoustic
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Buster Williams and

Christian McBride

bass
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian McBride—most, if not all, of whom will one day earn the same Hall of Fame status accorded Terry Gibbs.

As the elder Gibbs came of age in the bop era—gigging with a Who's Who of jazz luminaries including

Woody Herman

band / ensemble / orchestra
1913 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Herman,

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich,

Benny Goodman

clarinet
1909 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Goodman,

Chubby Jackson

bass, acoustic
1918 - 2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Chubby Jackson,

Mel Torme

vocals
1925 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Mel Torme and

Louie Bellson

drums
1924 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Louie Bellson, and later leading his Los Angeles-based Dream Band—most of his engaging themes can trace their roots to bop, and the trios take to them like ducks to water. The line-ups are traditional piano-bass-drums save for Dream Trio 3, on which Goldings' Hammond B3 organ complements Gibbs and pianist Rushen. Their appearances are close to evenly divided, with Trios 1 and 2 performing on four tracks each, Trios 3 and 4 on five apiece, and everyone (plus Terry Gibbs, whose extended vibes solo is as sharp and resourceful as ever) having an absolute blast on "Hey Chick," which closes the first disc. The title is no doubt coincidental, as the tune was written in 1961 when Corea was a mere twenty years old.

"Hey Chick" follows "Lonely Days," the nearest pretense to a ballad on the first disc. The same holds true for the most part on the second disc, as swinging is what Terry Gibbs was (and is) about. Trio 3 comes out blazing on the disc's sunny, samba-like opener, "Townhouse," wherein Goldings adds color with some bird-like special effects, as does Trio 2 on the lively "T&S," as Barron crafts a stunning solo while Gibbs and Williams lend rhythmic backbone. Gibbs, Keezer and McBride keep the fire burning on "4 AM," as they do on "For Keeps" and "Gibberish." "Waltz for My Children" (Trio 1), the disc's lone serenade, showcases Corea in typically masterful form. The first seven tracks on the first disc— from "Kick Those Feet" (1964) to "The Fat Man" (1958)—are exemplary, as are the others on the second disc, from the dynamic "Hippie Twist" to the well-grooved "For Keeps," and especially the melodious "Pretty Blue Eyes." While none has entered the rarefied pantheon of jazz standards, several could—and even should—be gauged by that barometer. At the very least, they should be played more often; they are that good. And so, it goes without saying, are the trios Gerry Gibbs has assembled to give them life. Songs from My Father is more than a marvelous idea; it is a musical treat from end to end, and a well-deserved show of appreciation from son to father for the guidance and wisdom that have assuredly helped shape his impressive career.

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Track Listing

Disc 1: Kick Those Feet; Smoke ��Em Up; Bopstacle Course; Nutty Notes; Take It from Me; Sweet Young Song of Love; The Fat Man; Lonely Days; Hey Chick. Disc 2: Townhouse; T&S; 4 AM; Waltz for My Children; Hippie Twist; Lonely Dreams; For Keeps; Pretty Blue Eyes; Gibberish; Tango for Terry.

Personnel

Gerry Gibbs

drums

Chick Corea

piano

Kenny Barron

piano

Patrice Rushen

keyboards

Geoffrey Keezer

keyboards

Larry Goldings

organ, Hammond B3

Ron Carter

bass

Buster Williams

bass, acoustic

Christian McBride

bass

Terry Gibbs

vibraphone

Album information

Title: Songs from My Father | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound

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