George Cables – You Don’t Know Me – (piano solos) – Kind of Blue

by | Jan 29, 2008 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

George Cables – You Don’t Know Me – (piano solos) – Kind of Blue KOB 10024, (2 CDs) 57:42, 62:24 ****:

Pianist Cables started out with classical training. He attended the New York High School of Performing Arts – the “Fame” school – and was soon into jazz. He has had a noteworthy career as a sideman in such groups with Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper and others. While he continues to play in trios, quartets and larger ensembles, he decided to depart from all that with this album, making it the most personal statement for both himself and the listeners.  He pointed out “It’s just you, the piano, and your own thoughts and feelings.”

The total of 21 tracks across the two CDs includes eight of Cable’s own compositions. Tunes are dedicated to his mother, his wife and even for his wife’s sisters.  The beginning of the second disc brings us three black spirituals in a row, and there’s even a country-western tune. The album’s title refers to those who know Cables’ work only from his ensemble playing. The gist of it is that only with the quality of personal expression found in these solo improvisations and arrangements will you really know the pianist. The piano tone is rich and very transparent. It’s a real pleasure to hear jazz piano so well recorded, because often the piano suffers the most in recordings of jazz groups.

TrackList, Disc 1: My Foolish Heart, You don’t know me, EVC, Up jumped spring, You don’t know what love is, Lullaby, Helen’s song, Helen’s mother’s song, Spookarella, Honey Lulu
TrackList, Disc 2: Here’s one, Go down Moses, Going Home, Smoke gets in your eyes, Senorita de Aranjuez, Looking for the light, Waltz for Debby, Stella by starlight, Morning song, Ana Marie, The way we were.

 – John Henry 

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