mash-ups Archive

Craig Hartley – Books on Tape Vol. II: Standard Edition

by Audiophile Audition | Jan 9, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Not your everyday collection of jazz standards. Craig Hartley – Books on Tape Vol. II: Standard Edition – self-released, 57:10 [10/7/16] ****: (Craig Hartley – piano & producer; Carlo De Rosa – bass; Jeremy ‘Bean’ Clemons – drums) On Craig Hartley’s 2013 self-released trio debut, Books on Tape, Vol. I, the pianist introduced his original compositions, which showed his inventive and individualistic imagination. Hartley has returned with another self-released trio album, Books on Tape, Vol II: Standard Edition, and it is appropriately subtitled. That’s because on his sophomore CD, Hartley spends an hour covering material which has influenced or inspired him over the years. The variety and the way Hartley meshes some of the music together offers a unique experience. Among the six interpretive pieces (plus one new composition) is music by Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Bach, Miles Davis, two former Beatles and more. Hartley is joined by bassist Carlo De Rosa (who was also on Hartley’s first CD) and drummer Jeremy ‘Bean’ Clemons. Ellington appears twice. A twisting and turning, nearly 11-minute translation of “Caravan” opens the album. Hartley explains in his liner notes his autonomous approach “allow(s) the group to take the song where it collectively feels it […]