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Pamela Hines Trio: Thrive!

By Dan McClenaghan
November 14, 2014
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Pianist

Pamela Hines

piano
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Pamela Hines 2013 CD offering, 3.2.1 (Spice Rack Records), was an immersion in the standards, with a big nod to the iconic

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans. It was, perhaps, a bit of a writing respite for Hines, who is a supremely talented tune-smith. She's back, song-writing talents intact, energized even, on this all originals set, Thrive!.

Opening with "Emma's Room," Hines and her backing trio—

David Clark

trumpet and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">David Clark on bass and

Les Harris

" data-original-title="" title="">Les Harris holding down the drum chair—make a sound that is a is a bit agitated and off- kilter. Hines touch is superb, lovely, crisp. Her mates are responsive and supportive in the creation of a joyous momentum.

"While We Can" features the trio exploring the ballad format with aplomb. A wistful mood pervades. Drummer Clark makes magic with the brushes. Hines touch seems impossibly pretty, and the melody has quirks, as if the spirit of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk is hanging around the studio. "Armory" is the trio's opportunity to pour on the spicy sauce. Up-tempo and danceable, drummer Harris gets a chance to step out and snap and pop, rattle and roll in front of Clark's three note repeated riff.

"Across the Room" is wistful, a measured performance in which each note of Hines' piano can be savored, and then, later in the set, an bonus:

Suzanne Cabot

" data-original-title="" title="">Suzanne Cabot, her voice rich-toned and uniquely expressive, joins the trio for a vocal take on the tune—lyrics by Pamela Hines. It is a tale of unrequited longing, as beautiful as can be.

After a fine cover album, 3.2.1, Pamela Hines is back in the songwriting groove with the jubilantly distinctive, slightly quirky Thrive!.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Ella's Room,; While We Can; Armory; Good Change; Across The Room; Alteration; Philippe; There's More; Across the Room (featuring Suzanne Cabot); Groove Trip.

Personnel

Pamela Hines

piano

Pamela Hines: piano; Dave Clark bass; Les Harris: drums; Suzanne Cabot vocal (9).

Album information

Title: Thrive! | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Spice Rack Records

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