Bach to Blues

I think part of the reason I’ve had such a hard time catching the blog back up is because I owe someone a review of his album. I don’t know if I really believe in karma to that level but I do feel a kind of way about not offering this review months ago when the gentleman asked me too. Don’t get wrong, it’s not because I didn’t listen to it - it even got space on the Ipod. It’s just because I didn’t finish writing my review.

I received an email from Dave Leonhardt inviting me to review his record. Mr. Leonhardt honed his chops with the likes of Jon Hendricks and the incomparable David "Fathead" Newman. He's produced and arranged and performed with for Stan Getz, Slide Hampton and Lewis Nash. Needless to say, he's got alot of good music infused in his playing.

I read the title BACH TO BLUES and knew instantly what the theme was – of course that’s not hard to figure out. So I was interested in what I was about to listen too. I admit that I love music that makes me think. But as I read the title of the songs and saw that they were direct copies of Bach song titles, I pushed the play button with a little fear of being disappointed. I didn’t know if I wanted to hear Bach’s music with a swing beat. I was pleasantly surprised! This isn’t that! Well not really that…

I wanted to go into this recording with an open mind. I wasn’t familiar with Leonhardt or his music so I didn’t read his included bio. I downloaded the record and listened to the music. Basically, what Leonhardt does here is to use the themes from Bach’s music and comment on them in his own way.

I was only slightly familiar with most of the tunes. I really enjoyed his take on Ava Maria. He kept it a ballad of course, however a well placed minor third here and well placed seventh there made for beautiful song.

All and all I like this record alot. I like to refer to this album as "dinner music". It’s soft, unimposing but gives the right vibe for a delicate evening in front of the fireplace or over Merlot, T-Bone and conversation.

Thanx Dave for offering me this record. It has certainly been a joy to experience.