Pat Glynn “Who’s on Bass”
(Benthictones Music, 2014)
Pat Glynn— bass
Cyrus Chestnut— piano
Carl Allen— drums
Pat Glynn has settled in Tokyo, at least for the time being, and at least part of the time when he’s not picking up his bass and playing around the world. His most recent recording with the stellar Cyrus Chestnut on piano and equally stellar Carl Allen on drums shows just how fully his world-class experience has taken root. The outing is a straight-ahead gem.
Chestnut and Allen are always energetic, spot-on players, but here they have an especially marvelous interplay with Glynn. “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life,” a common tune, is played to perfection, filled with the right proportions of sadness, energy and hope. “Stardust” and “Lullaby of Birdland,” are also nicely re-conceived, the former as a duet with Glynn and Chestnut, with plenty of gorgeous arco bass, and the latter as a duet with himself on bass and on tuba that is great fun.
The originals, though, are really where the action is. Glynn turns out some fascinating, new pieces. The opener (and alternate take closer) “With an I.E.” is rambunctious and grooving, while “Union” is lyrical, lovely and unique, a contemplative tune that opens easily into space for unhurried and stirring solos. “Peter’s Tune” is bright and bouncy, with each of them accenting and driving the other two to more and more interesting directions. Glynn’s knack for interesting phrasing on bass enlarges well into the chord changes and melody lines of these originals.
The CD is also recorded very well, so all three instruments come out distinctly and clearly, with a full soundscape and just-right mix. That’s important for these three since their playing is packed with energy and feeling, just as much as technique and tone.
November 14, 2015