‘Your Songs - The Music of Elton John’ featured in The New York Sun
October 9th, 2007
Do you read The New York Sun? If not, add their music section to your must read list. An article by jazz writer Will Friedwald originally printed on October 9 appears to hold one of our latest albums, Your Songs - The Music of Elton John in rather high regard.
Expounding on two recent jazz albums that take on classic pop tunes, including Cyrus Chestnut’s Elvis homage and our friendly quartet’s (made up of Pietro Tonolo, Gil Goldstein, Steve Swallow and Paul Motian take on Elton John, the feature places our album in a very good light.
QUOTE:“I prefer the quartet’s versions in at least a few cases — the melody of “The One” sounds better without the cheesy ocean effects and the disco drum machinery on the 1992 original. The most memorable tune is no surprise: The ballad “Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word” is the rare Elton John song that was already performed by Jimmy Scott, Ray Charles, and even Sinatra, and is played here slightly faster and punchier than I expected. The Pietro Quartet confirms that it’s a song worthy of being in the jazz repertoire.In an online promotional video for “Your Song,” Mr. Tonolo relates that when he informed Mr. Swallow of the idea behind this project, the bassist (whose fender playing in the higher register often sounds like a guitar) responded, “Oh, I actually like some of Elton John’s songs — but don’t tell anybody!” As “Cyrus Plays Elvis” and “Your Songs” prove, fans of this music don’t have to keep it a secret: The best tunes by rock-era songwriters are worthy of sitting at the big table with the grown-ups.”
Click here for the full jazzy article.
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