Noah Preminger – Preminger Plays Preminger – Newvelle Records NV019 – Vinyl Audiophile LP – ****:
(Noah Preminger – tenor sax; Jason Moran – piano; Kim Cass – bass; Marcus Gilmore – drums)
It was a natural fit for tenor saxophonist, Noah Preminger, to want to explore the film music used by his grandfather’s cousin, Otto Preminger. After all, Otto had used jazz musicians like the iconic Duke Ellington, to compose the scores for his movies. (i.e. Anatomy of a Murder.). Otto used top grade film score talent including Henry Mancini and David Raskin. His movies, including “Stalag 17,” “Advice and Consent,” and “Bunny Lake is Missing” have stood the test of time, and his talent for film noir themes is well known.
Noah studied with pianist Ran Blake, while attending New England Conservatory, and Blake recognized the use of jazz themes in film noir scores, so it made perfect sense for Noah to want to revisit his second cousin’s movies to re imagine the music that was so central to the appreciation of Otto’s movies.
There could be no better recording label than Newvelle Records to enable Noah to present his vision, honoring the family name in a new and unique way. The eight tracks on this LP are split equally between totally new music from Noah, and his reinterpretation of prior movie song themes. Aiding Preminger in this effort is virtuoso pianist, Jason Moran, bassist Kim Cass, and drummer, Marcus Gilmore.
Throughout the release, there is both a sense of lyrical melancholy, and a blues feel that is a constant. Noah lets his notes linger, and his use of space helps establish the proper mood for the appreciation of film noir and murder mysteries. Noah established on his quartet issue from Season 1 of Newvelle’s subscription series, his mastery of the blues, and his soulful presentation works quite well again as the opener of Season 4.
The first track on Side A, is “For Advice and Consent” from the 1962 movie. It is a perfect noir opener, and Noah begins with some bebop tones. There is a strong bass underpinning from Kim Cass, and inquisitive lines from Jason Moran. Later the theme goes off into an abstract direction with tension and release ratcheting up the mood.
Noah’s “For Stalag 17” is much too brief, and the percussion (bells?) and tenor notes hang and spread like clouds. You are left wanting more. Next is “Theme from The River of No Return.” It is my favorite track here, with its anthemic melody bringing a feel of propulsion, like being on a march. Noah floats around the bass and drums, both who have a strong presence. A blues idiom is explored before returning to the anthem theme.
Preminger’s quartet version of “Way Early Subtone from Anatomy of a Murder” is of course much different than the sumptuous Ellington version with Johnny Hodges. With Noah, we have a noir feel with Moran’s piano simulating the tension/late night metropolitan vibe. Chaos reigns. “Stay with Me from The Cardinal” is a pretty ballad, blues driven, and a nice change of pace.
“For Bunny Lake is Missing” is a strong feature for Noah. Highly atmospheric, Preminger starts and stops , tip toeing, and leaving the listener wondering what is coming next. “The Theme from Bonjour Tristesse” closes out our Preminger family reunion with another lovely ballad, and Noah wears the song’s passion on his sleeve.
Noah has done a great job exploring the film scores from Otto Preminger. Current film directors might consider his composing and arranging talents for future independent film projects. Let the credits roll…
Tracklist:
Side A:
For Advice and Consent
For Stalag 17
Theme from The River of No Return
For Laura
Side B:
Way Early Subtone from Anatomy of a Murder
Stay With Me from The Cardinal
For Bunny Lake is Missing
Theme from Bonjour Tristesse
—Jeff Krow
More Information available at the Newvelle Records Website.
