Johnson, Bass; Joe La Barbera, Drums) – Let’s Play Stella
Records 2005, 54:21 ****:
Seattle pianist Dave Peck should not be a Northwest well-kept secret.
His new CD Good Road personifies good taste. Made up of seven standards
and one Peck original (The First Song of Spring), it makes great late
night listening. Having the services of one of Bill Evan’s great
drummers, Joe La Barbera, is more than an added bonus. Joe’s brushwork
and tasty cymbal touch is the perfect accompaniment to Peck’s Evanslike
introspective playing.
Picking favorite tracks on this CD is near impossible as there is not a
weak track or filler. Jeff Johnson on bass shines on The Star Crossed
Lovers and on an uptempo Green Dolphin Street. His introduction on She
Was Too Good to Me brings to mind Charlie Haden backing Hank Jones on
the Verve Steal Away session. Peck is at his best playing ballads as
evidenced on the Ellington/Strayhorn chestnut, The Star Crossed
Lovers. Recorded in June, 2003, at Seattle’s Studio X, and produced by
Dave and Jane Peck, this CD has audiophile sound and belongs in the
collection of any fan of piano trios.
Tracks: Yesterdays, Low Key Lightly, Green Dolphin Street, The
First Song of Spring, Just in Time, The Star Crossed Lovers, What is
This Thing Called Love She Was Too Good to Me
– Jeff Krow
