Neil Cowley - Radio Silence

Having recently acquired a 32gb iPod Touch, I decided to make use of its iTunes Store feature, where I purchased Neil Cowley's new album, Radio Silence. I was introduced to Neil Cowley's music a year or so ago, and I haven't stopped listening to his trio. If I had to categorise his style, I'd call it something vague, like contemporary jazz, but he really does have a style all of his own. There are fast, complex piano lines and phrases, played by Cowley, all backed up by double bass and drums.

His other two albums that I own, Displaced and Loud Louder Stop, are both great, and those plus Radio Silence really sum up what is so special about Neil Cowley Trio. His fast, methodical and intelligent style are unique. The chord sequences, the phrasing, the piano lines, they are all unexpected. And yet they are still catchy. Perhaps it is a love or hate style, but I thoroughly recommend listening to at least some of his stuff.

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~Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.~

The Moon Is Low - Art Tatum

If I had to pick one pianist to listen to exclusively, it would have to be Art Tatum. The phrasing, the rhythms, the fast lines down the piano, the amazing use of chord movements, all contribute to why I would call this track, The Moon Is Low, my favourite piano piece.

You can find the version I refer to on the album The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 5. Unfortunately, I cannot think of an accurate way to describe this song, but I can tell you that it is of the sub-genre of jazz called stride. Stride is, basically, the right hand of the piano playing a melody, while the left plays 'striding' basslines and chords. Sounds simple, no? Correct, no. When listening to Art Tatum, stride is anything but simple. As I listen to him now, I hear the left hand moving in a fast, steady rhythm, while always changing the chord it's based on. Even on its own, the left hand of stride would be enough for me.

But, coupled with the ever more complex right hand, it produces an effect, well, twice as good. The melody is played once, embellished, played again, embellished, up to the point where the main tune is barely distinguishable. And all this while being practically blind for his whole life.

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