Steve Shapiro Pat Bergeson – Backward Compatible -Apria 139326, 56:39 ****1/2:
(Steve Shapiro – vibes, marimba; Pat Bergeson – guitars, harmonicas; Anne Sellick – vocals; Marc Johnson – bass; Tim Ferguson bass – (3.7.11); Doug Weiss – bass (5,9); Clint DeGanon – drums; Jochen Rueckert – drums (5,9); Scott Kreitzer – tenor and soprano sax; Will Barrow – accordion; Janice Pendarvis, Vaneese Thomas – backing vocals)
It’s a real shame this music isn’t more widely known because these guys are doing something both original and fresh. Players of uncommon presence and a distinct voice on their respective instruments, leaders Shapiro and Bergeson are both fine jazz musicians. Beyond that their concept of revitalizing various popular (“Free Man in Paris,” “Heart of Gold”), jazz standard (the wackily sordid “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” “It Could Happen to You”), and obscure (“Hushabye Mountain”) musical numbers, plus their own slightly loopy tunes (the Hot Club-ish “I’ll Take the Soup,” “Life Could Be Wonderful,” and “Swingleberry”); the haunting ballad, “Early”; and the weirdly anthemic “Scary Americans” and just plain disturbing “Dangerous Toys”—all this adds up to a kind of musical genius. These strange but familiar musical moods and moves make for some very memorable listening.
As for the players, Bergeson, a student of guitar legend Chet Atkins, sounds like the master with an updated concept and extended technique mapped onto a slyly warped sense of humor. Shapiro has absorbed the playing of all the master malleteers, from Lionel Hampton to Gary Burton to Joe Locke and beyond, and come up with his own very lyrical and dancing approach. The group, and assemblage of top-notch players, nails the madcap vibe, often instilling a friendly-chilling feel where appropriate (“My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” “Scary Americans,” “Dangerous Toys”).
Special mention must be made of their rendition of “Free Man in Paris” and “Heart of Gold,” two numbers that have been played to death. Interestingly, Shapiro, Bergeson, and band stick pretty close to the inherent frayed sentimentality of both numbers, retaining the songs’ world-weary irony even as they inject subtle new instrumentation and vocal shadings, the latter courtesy of the brilliant Anne Sellick and background vocalists Janice Pendarvis and Vaneese Thomas. Scott Kreitzer’s soprano sax solo on “Free Man” perfectly captures the faded nostalgia of Joni Mitchell’s great song, while Bergeson’s haunting harmonica defines the quiet desperation of “Heart of Gold.”
Music of very high accomplishment.
TrackList:
Free Man in Paris
My Heart Belongs to Daddy
I’ll Take the Soup
Early
Life Could Be Wonderful
It Could Happen to You
Hushabye Mountain
Dangerous Toys
— Jan P. Dennis
