Ken Peplowski – Noir Blue – Capri Records Ltd. – Capri 74098–2, 61:14 ****1/2:
(Ken Peplowski – clarinet and tenor saxophone; Shelly Berg – piano; Jay Leonhart – bass; Joe La Barbara – drums)
I first became aware of Ken Peplowski from the album Steve Allen Plays Jazz Tonight recorded in 1992. I was born in the 1940s and grew up with all the great daytime variety shows on radio on into the 1950’s. The little combos on air usually had a piano, drums, bass, trumpet or often a clarinet. Clarinetists sort of faded away from the scene after the 50s for several decades with some exceptions. Ken became known as one of the top clarinetists early in the 1990s. When I listen to Ken Peplowski play clarinet, it is reminiscent of my childhood and formative years in music I have the feeling as he makes his runs that he has some influence from Charlie Parker. Shelly Berg has a very nice touch at the piano and is very enjoyable in these presentations. Jay Leonhart is a wonderful bassist of whom I possess several of his albums. Joe La Barbara on drums is excellent in his solos and support rhythms.
Noir Blue sets a reminiscent experience as the title suggests. The first song The Best Thing for You is a fast-moving presentation of Irving Berlin’s composition that was famous in the Broadway show “Call Me Madame” with Ethel Merman in 1950. This joyful tune starts with a light and happy fast moving piano solo by Shelly. He is joined a bit later by Ken on the clarinet playing runs and bursts of notes in Parkeresque style. Leonhart moves in on bass and trades salvos with Joe La Barbera on drums. When I finished listening to the song, I was charged up for more. Shelly Berg’s composition Home with You is a very pleasant changeup in tempo. It has a very calming affect and bossa nova style. The group’s treatment of Ellington’s Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies is a bit more upbeat than the original from the Duke. Ken’s clarinet takes the place of the flute in the original.
Ken reverts to tenor sax on Hoagy Carmichael’s Riverboat Shuffle. Ken remains on saxophone for a sensuous Ray Noble/Max Kester Ballad called Love Locked Out. The upbeat If Not for You is drummer Joe La Barbera’s composition. A lot of interaction goes between the players. The next two songs are Billy Strayhorn compositions. Multi-Colored Blues is a beautiful piece with Ken playing slow blues on clarinet with Jay walking the bass, and Joe keeping the rhythm behind Jay. Shelly is filling in with chords in support then taking on a piece of the tune. Noir Blue, the title track really shows that bluesy sound so like Billy Strayhorn, slow and a little plaintive. Nobody Else but Me has Ken back on tenor sax again. The group is interactive on this upbeat composition of Jerome Kern. The last track is Little Dogs; a composition of Ken’s and was a shocker to me. It is sort of in the free jazz style. It is a bit of a changeup from the rest of the album. I am not a big fan of free jazz but this one could convert me. The group interacted very well.
An important issue for me when listening and purchasing music recordings is the actual recording and mixing job. I give a great big kudos to Andy Waterman, recording engineer and Ethan Walter, assistant engineer. The mixing was by Scott Griess and Thomas Burns. Every instrument can be discerned without the musicians covering up the other which is a big plus for me.
TrackList: The Best Thing for You, Home with You, Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies, Riverboat Shuffle, Love Locked Out, If Not for You, Multi-colored Blue, Noir Blue, Nobody Else but Me,
Little Dogs.
— Tim Taylor
