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Tom Ranier: This Way

By Dan McClenaghan
August 17, 2020
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The versatile multi-instrumentalist Tom Ranier has enjoyed a busy career, playing pop styles, electronic music and jazz. Prolific as a collaborator—

Terry Gibbs

vibraphone
b.1924

" data-original-title="" title="">Terry Gibbs,

" data-original-title="" title="">George Coleman, Placido Domingo—he also boasts a grounding in classical music. This Way features Rainier playing mostly his own compositions on piano, synthesizers, saxophones and clarinets, with some help from his friends, guitarist

Thom Rotella

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Thom Rotella, bassist

Trey Henry

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Trey Henry and drummer

Ralph Humphrey

drums
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Humphrey.

On this, his first recording under his own name since Bright Idea (Primrose Lane, 2007), he has crafted a polished sound, a sort of piano trio spiced with understated synth and reed orchestration soundscaping. In the fashion of fellow pianist/orchestrator

Bob James

piano
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob James, Ranier's art is meticulously constructed, seamless and beautifully accessible, from the opener, his own lush "Blue Aria," to the closer,

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Desafinado," all laid down with a crisp precision.

The smooth and pensive "Circle" showcases Ranier's delicate and alluring piano touch and, perhaps, his classical grounding, while the title tune gets into a Brecker Brothers-like dance groove. "Secret Heart," written by trumpeter Randy Brecker and pianist Eliane Elias, is a tribute to the late saxophonist

Michael Brecker

saxophone, tenor
1949 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Brecker. Ranier re-works the tune, arranging it for soprano sax, three clarinets and bass clarinet, shaping it into a work of jaw-dropping beauty.

With the exception of "Desafinado," the closer, the sound of This Way has a suite-like cohesion, while the Jobim sends us off on a gregarious and hopeful note.

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Track Listing

Blue Aria; Circle; This Way; Yes Kloose; Secret Heart; Trio Vision; Rhapsody; Desafinado.

Personnel

Tom Ranier

piano

Trey Henry

bass

Ralph Humphrey

drums

Thom Rotella

guitar

Additional Instrumentation

Tom Ranier: piano, synthesizer, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinets, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet.

Album information

Title: This Way | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Self Produced

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