Ran Blake - Short Life of Barbara Monk

A lyrical treat

Since this recording often falls into the avant-garde classification, I didn't have very high expectations, but Short Life really surprised me. The songs are very well written and highly interesting, and the recording as a whole tries to tell a meaningful story without bogging the listener down in the details. I found most of the songs very lyrical and melodic, and some of them are quite short, which is unusual for a jazz album of this era. This is one of those recordings I've been intent on "experiencing", so I don't know a lot about the musicians or the circumstances of the recording. All I know is, many sources recommend this CD to casual and serious jazz fans alike, and so do I. April 30, 2008

Melancholic, Yet Life-Affirming

This is an intriguing album, perhaps one of the most memorable jazz recordings of the 1980s. Ran Blake is a unique pianist, probably best described as impressionistic. Most of his recordings have been in a solo or duet setting; this one is a more conventional quartet date. Ricky Ford (who I was previously unfamiliar with), plays great tenor sax on all tracks--there are some similarities, I think, with the better known Joe Lovano and perhaps Charles Lloyd. Occasionally, Ford evokes Sonny Rollins or even Ben Webster. Bassist Ed Felson and drummer Jon Hazilla who, like Ford, are former students of Blake at the New England Conservatory of Music, provide solid, enthusiastic support.

Although this recording falls well-within the range of the avant-garde, there is little in the way of "screeching cats"--most everything is easy on the ears, and quite beautiful. Some of this music--like other great music in this and other genres--can be somewhat disturbing. The album's centerpiece, the title track, is a tribute to Thelonious Monk's daughter, who died of cancer in 1984, just two years after her father. It's a complex, dream-like piece that evokes a variety of emotions. A couple of other tracks are also related to a theme of death, while others are generally more upbeat. In total, this recording, while somewhat melancholic, is life-affirming. The disc satisfies on both an intellectual and emotional level. The recording and audio quality are excellent.
September 2, 2007

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