Kenny Barron - Soft Spoken Here

Soft Spoken Here Review

 

by Scott Yanow

Two of pianist Kenny Barron's earlier LPs (Sunset to Dawn and Golden Lotus) are reissued in full on this double CD from 1997. The 1973 date has its moments of interest, with Barron doubling on electric piano as part of a five-piece rhythm section, performing five of his originals and a song by drummer Freddie Waits. Those post-bop sides hint a bit at fusion and funk while still remaining reasonably creative. However, it is the later set (a quintet outing with John Stubblefield on tenor and soprano, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Ben Riley) that is of greatest interest; the group performs four Barron tunes, including "Golden Lotus," plus "Darn That Dream." Nelson's playing at that early stage showed great potential that he has since largely realized. An excellent two-fer.

Kenny Barron

Soft Spoken Here

1-1 Sunset 00:00 1-2 A Flower 09:07 1-3 Swamp Demon 15:58 1-4 Al-Kifha 20:42 1-5 Delores Street S. F. 26:56 1-6 Dawn 33:36 2-1 Golden Lotus 39:39 2-2 Dew Drops 45:39 2-3 Cinco 52:14 2-4 Darn That Dream 01:01:14 2-5 Row House 01:10:33 Piano – Kenny Barron Electric Piano – Kenny Barron (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6) Bass – Buster Williams (tracks: 2-1 to 2-5) Congas, Percussion – Richard Landrum (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6) Drums – Ben Riley (tracks: 2-1 to 2-5), Freddie Waits (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6) Electric Bass [Fender Bass] – Bob Cranshaw (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6) Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – John Stubblefield (tracks: 2-1 to 2-5) Vibraphone – Steve Nelson (tracks: 2-1 to 2-5) Vibraphone [Vibes], Percussion – Warren Smith (tracks: 1-1 to 1-6) Recorded April 2, 1973 ( Tracks 1-1 to 1-6 ) RCA Studios, NYC Recorded April 4 & 18, 1980 ( Tracks 2-1 to 2-5 ) Downtown Sound Studio, NYC and Sound Heights Studio, Brooklyn, NY