A seriously absorbing solo set from pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, who casts a myriad of reflections off the classic gem, Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love?” More vignettes than songs, most of the album’s 31 tracks don’t go over two minutes in length. But in those brief moments, Pilc finds a way to say quite a bit. Impressive without being showy, succinct without being trite, Pilc gets right to the heart of the matter with each piece. The effect is one of clarity in the moment and a gradually increasing expanse of imagery over the course of the album… tiny snapshots that allow a view of the big picture to slip in along the way.
Cole Porter’s song is the inspiration, tether, jump-off point, binding agent and thematic device. Pilc deftly ranges both near and far from the original, but he never gets too close and turns the album into some by-the-numbers tribute album, and he never strays so far from the theme to nullify the concept in its entirety. Pilc changes things up.
The scattering marbles of “Glide” is followed immediately by the Sunday morning solemnity of “Look,” which, in turn, is followed by the glittering downpour of “Cross,” and each sounds as natural flowing one from the other as if they were all poured from the same glass. None are glaringly obvious homages to the Porter original nor do they completely turn their back on where they’re from. And speaking of that original, Pilc’s minute-twenty reverie on Porter’s classic tune is endearingly sweet, gently touching upon the melody with the care of a parent brushing hair away from their child’s eyes.
Pilc answers the titular question with the closing track “Now You Know What Love Is,” a song that is reverential, arresting and sometimes a bit whimsical.
Your album personnel: Jean-Michel Pilc (piano, whistling).
So here we are. As you (hopefully) read in a previous column, my run on eMusic & Wondering Sound is now over. You can read about what’s what, here, w/this LINK. For the time being, as I search for a new home for my weekly jazz recommendations column, I’ll…
Can't express just how happy I am with this week's batch of new jazz releases. Many of these albums have very distinct personalities, which is the kind of strength you want from the albums sitting in your music library. You might not like all of these personalities, but it's…
Good god, this was a strong week of new jazz releases. As much as I dislike doing the whole co-pick thing, I just had no choice. Both the Charles Lloyd and Reijseger/Fraanje/Sylla recordings are supremely intense and crafted masterfully. But don't stop there. The four albums on the list…
Feb 4 2015
Recommended: Jean-Michel Pilc – “What Is This Thing Called?”
Cole Porter’s song is the inspiration, tether, jump-off point, binding agent and thematic device. Pilc deftly ranges both near and far from the original, but he never gets too close and turns the album into some by-the-numbers tribute album, and he never strays so far from the theme to nullify the concept in its entirety. Pilc changes things up.
The scattering marbles of “Glide” is followed immediately by the Sunday morning solemnity of “Look,” which, in turn, is followed by the glittering downpour of “Cross,” and each sounds as natural flowing one from the other as if they were all poured from the same glass. None are glaringly obvious homages to the Porter original nor do they completely turn their back on where they’re from. And speaking of that original, Pilc’s minute-twenty reverie on Porter’s classic tune is endearingly sweet, gently touching upon the melody with the care of a parent brushing hair away from their child’s eyes.
Pilc answers the titular question with the closing track “Now You Know What Love Is,” a song that is reverential, arresting and sometimes a bit whimsical.
Your album personnel: Jean-Michel Pilc (piano, whistling).
Released on Sunnyside Records.
Jazz from NYC.
Available at: Bandcamp | Amazon
| eMusic
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2015 Releases • 0 • Tags: Jean-Michel Pilc, Sunnyside Records