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Bill Anschell/Brett Jensen: We Couldn't Agree More

By John Barron
July 13, 2009
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Bill Anschell/Brett Jensen: We Couldn't Agree More

We Couldn't Agree More is a great example of what happens when two like-minded musicians gather for an impromptu session, playing through a list of well-worn standards. Pianist

Bill Anschell

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Anschell and soprano saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Brent Jensen deliver a relaxed, humorously inventive duo recording that happily swings from beginning to end.

Recorded in Boise, Idaho, during a break from a tour of the state (Jensen is an Assistant Professor of Music at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls), the two long time collaborators take a bare bones, unedited approach with successful results.

Anschell opens the record with a jagged arpeggio accompaniment over "I'm Old Fashioned," influencing Jensen's lively solo. Throughout the disc, the Seattle-based pianist pushes familiar song forms into unfamiliar territory. "What is This Thing Called Love" begins with a hard-to-swallow music box vibe that eventually settles into a memorable rendition. Anschell demonstrates astonishing, Art Tatum-like flourishes over "The People Versus Miss Jones," a clever take on the changes to "Have You Met Miss Jones?"

Jensen's sleek soprano playing dances gracefully through each tune with lyrical, uncontrived soulfulness. Rather straight-forward interpretations of "You and the Night and the Music" and "Just Friends" have an appealing effect, even after multiple listens.

We Couldn't Agree More delivers a fresh twist to familiar gems. Anschell and Jensen are having way too much fun not to pay attention.

Visit Bill Anschell and Brent Jensen on the web.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

I'm Old Fashioned; Solar; The People Versus Miss Jones; You the Night and the Music; What is This Thing Called Love?; You Aren't All That; Ask Me Now; Beautiful Love; Just Friends; Solar (alternate take); On the Sunny Side of the Street.

Personnel

Bill Anschell

piano

Brent Jensen

saxophone, alto

Album information

Title: We Couldn't Agree More | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Origin Records

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