Gene Bertoncini, guitar, with string quintet – Concerti – Ambient

by | May 29, 2008 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

Gene Bertoncini, guitar, with string quintet – Concerti – Ambient stereo-only hybrid SACD CD-007, 51:40 ****:

(with Mark Feldman & Rob Moose, violins; Kelly Dylia, viola; Dana Leong, cello; David Finck, doublebass)

Had thought my Oppo player was acting up and refusing to play the multichannel layer of this disc, but eventually discovered it was a stereo-only effort, though not labeled as such (and seemingly in conflict with the name of the record label). No matter, it’s a terrific example of a jazz soloist with strings, and with very creative writing that isn’t just a background bed of strings for guitarist Bertoncini. In fact in Eleanor Rigby the ensemble actually is improvising. Most of the arrangements are by Michael Patterson, who also conducted the ensemble. The result reminded me of a chamber music version of the exquisite Stan Getz/Eddie Sauter Focus album, although only one of the eight tracks here is an original. And they’re all playing in perfect tune, unlike that string quartet that was behind Charlie Parker…

The other tracks come from such sources as Cole Porter, Lennon/McCartney, Chopin and Jobim.  The final track is the piece de resistance of the album: a 13-minute medley of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Chick Corea’s Spain.  This combination has been done before, but Patterson’s beautiful setting captivated me completely.  The entire disc is a most enjoyable entry in the again-growing chamber jazz genre, and the enhanced transparency of the SACD layer displays the six instruments in the utmost clarity.

TrackList: East of the Sun, You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To, For Chet, Eleanor Rigby, Every Time We Say Goodbye, Prelude/How Insensitive; Invitation; Concierto de Aranjuez/Spain

 – John Henry

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