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Review 1
Kaplan opens the set with a relaxed rendition of the Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen classic, "Here's That Rainy Day," as a bossa nova. Kaplan has a distinctive and identifiable sound that is quite evident here. Donny McCaslin, a standout among today's active young tenor sax players, contributes a sparkling solo.
Kaplan employs some short, playful and apropos sound effects on this album. On "Here's That Rainy Day" the music is preceded with the sound of rain in the background; and you'll hear the sound of a whistle from a train chugging along, during the night, somewhere down the track, as the opening to "Blues In The Night."
On "Blues in The Night" Kaplan's intimate and elegant sound is tantalizingly supported by the down-home textures of Steve Czarnecki on Hammond B-3, and Larry Scala on guitar.
Next up is an Antonio Carlos Jobim favorite, "How Insensitive." In the distance, you hear the echo of a lonely muted trumpet, out of tempo, playing a pensive cadenza--hinting at the sadness of the upcoming lyric. The rhythm section enters gracefully and--unexpectedly for this listener provides Kaplan with an up-tempo samba groove. Kaplan delivers. Kaplan deftly communicates the mood and emotion of the lyric, which is all about the heartfelt end of a love affair.
Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things" is a medium up-tempo groover. A catchy introduction by McCaslin on tenor also serves as the jumping off point for his in-the-pocket solo. This track is just right for Kaplan. Just the right tempo, the tune gives Kaplan the right space to demonstrate his ability to swing.
"Caravan," the classic by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol, opens with a tango-like ostinato bass line. The other accompanists enter gently, and are shortly followed by Kaplan's smooth entrance, bringing the song and the players into focus. Tenor saxophonist McCaslin and Scala on guitar follow with tasteful solos.
Kaplan's pensive rendition of "In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning" is captivating. Accompanied during the first chorus by solo guitar, this performance is an example of Kaplan's most sensitive and thoughtful work. Kaplan. Metheny and Scala fit together ideally to make magic on this one. Matheny's flugelhorn solo is debonair.
Some artists use diversity to anthologize themselves and prove that they can be everything to everybody. Kaplan employs diversity for the benefit of the listener, and Lounging Around is an example of the use of diversity to personalize this album to please the listener.
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Players
Ron Kaplan - vocals
Larry Scala - guitar
Guiseppe Merolla - drums
Perry Thoorsell - bass (except #9)
Donny McCaslin, Jr. tenor - Sax (#1,3,6,7,9,11)
Steve Czarnecki Hammond B3 - organ (#2,9,11)
Dmitri Matheny - flugelhorn (#5,10) |
Tracks
1 Here's That Rainy Day 4:58
2 Blues in the Night 7:22
3 Cry Me a River 4:36
4 I Surrender Dear 5:26
5 How Insensitive 4:52
6 Just One of Those Things 5:17
7 Caravan 6:38
8 No One Ever Tells You 4:07
9 Moanin' 5:13
10 In the Wee Small Hours 4:14
11 What a Wonderful World 4:25
Total Time 57:20 |
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