A nice set from
Paul West
and
Mark Brown
, a pair of Seattle musicians,
Words & Music
is composed primarily of original compositions from the pair with a couple of classic numbers slightly reworked (and given lyrics). A basic blues piece opens up the album, followed immediately by
Dizzy
's classic
"Groovin' High,"
but with lyrics courtesy of
West
in the vein of the old
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
recordings -- syncopated phrasings and a clear bop delivery. A soft ballad sings of an aging love, and
John Lewis
'
"Afternoon in Paris"
is given some lyrics.
"Thumbin' a Ride"
hangs out in an odd place between the
Crosby & Hope
"Road To"
numbers and a
Randy Newman
song. Songs to old friends come in both the somber, almost-mourning form and the happy, welcoming form, followed by an offbeat a cappella piece (
"We're So Lucky"
) and finally a bit of bossa nova in
"Mondo Condo"
that's just a bit faster than one would expect of the genre.
"Kind Word"
misses the target a bit lyrically, but makes up for it with some excellent instrumental portions from all musicians involved. Some more bop, then the album turns to a slow duet in the title track closer. These two musicians play with and off of one another beautifully. Though the compositions can get a bit stretched beyond their core competencies, it always sounds as though they're enjoying themselves. When the band is in its element, in a more straightforward jazzy form, it can certainly cook. ~ Adam Greenberg