Don't Explain

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Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 50:23

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Thomas Bartlett

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
Joel Frahm, Don’t Explain
2004 | Label: Palmetto / Iris

Don't Explain is a duet between former high school classmates: Frahm, a saxophonist in Jane Monheit's band and a favorite of the jazz cognoscenti, and Mehldau, a well-established pianist in the jazz world. It's an odd but effective match, as Mehldau's polyphonic density, complex interior harmonies and rhythmically oblique comping play off nicely against Frahm's gentle, unhurried tenor sax, which Mehldau describes in the liner notes as "big and generous, very warm and comfortable." The disc is dominated by mid-tempo numbers and ballads, and despite Mehldau's ceaseless rhythmic and harmonic prodding, the overall mood is easy and relaxed, a casual meeting between two old friends. The title track, given a hushed, mournful reading, is a highlight, as is "Round Midnight #3," the first of two versions of the Monk classic, with an excellent solo introduction by Frahm.

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EXCELLENT!

pffddspc

This music is very easy to listen to. It is anything but boring, however. It is pure and acoustic. Frahm is popular on the NY scene . I have only caught his playing at Smalls and Fat Cat, and I have been meaning to attend his Tuesday night gig at La Lanterna. I like the song choices on this CD. Standards by swingers,boppers, comedians and Beatles. It is a pleasure to purchase some music that sounds great the first time and that you know will continue to be a new experience with each listening. Duo albums are more mellow sounding by their nature, although you can bet that the musician's intensity levels on the successful efforts are high. This date is an example of that!

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Mellow, mellow, mellow

Librarian

Two versions of Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" anchor the disc, one keeps pretty much to the standard melody of Monk's classic, while the other version is more exploratory, shining a light into the dark corners of this knotty composition. Other performances of note include jaunty explorations of Sonny Rollins' "Oleo" and the standard "Get Happy." All in all it's a set of solid mellow music suitable for a late night of reading or relaxing. I'm more impressed with Mehldau as time goes by. On previous recordings, I found his music cold and distant, but on this disc, with the spotlight off of him and playing with a close friend, the music is warmer and self assured.

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They Say All Music Guide

Tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm and pianist Brad Mehldau have been good friends and musical associates since they were 15. Frahm has in recent times been part of Jane Monheit’s band, while Mehldau has become a major name in jazz. They have occasionally crossed paths through the years, and for both of them this duo recording was a special occasion. The music is loose and fairly free but also swinging and logical. Frahm has an expressive tone on tenor and is equally strong on ballads (such as “Don’t Explain”) and medium-tempo pieces. Mehldau, who functions as the entire rhythm section, alternates between being an accompanist, a soloist, and an equal part of the ensembles. Among the highlights of this adventurous, thoughtful, and subtle set are “Oleo,” “East of the Sun,” the Ornette Coleman blues “Turnaround,” and two different versions of “‘Round Midnight.” Recommended. – Scott Yanow

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