ALBUM REVIEWS

*** 1/2 FRED HERSCH “Heartsongs”; Sunnyside

This trio date from one of today’s most expressive young pianists is aptly titled. The disc’s 11 tunes, especially the five Hersch originals, are given heart-rendingly sweet treatments, full of titillating, long lines and the kind of melodicism that tempts one to whistle along. Unlike real matters of the heart, there’s very little danger, except perhaps bassist Michael Formanek’s “Beam Me Up,” a skittish line that sends Hersch sailing. Formanek reveals a lyrical touch reminiscent of Scott LaFaro, his instrument singing in crisp, accurately pitched tones, and drummer Jeff Hirshfield is responsive throughout, chipping away at his cymbals behind the more considered musings, throwing in pops, sparks and tom tom bombs when the going gets tough. And Hersch’s left hand is so full of personality that it almost sounds as if it comes from a fourth musician. Unfortunately, the keyboardist has a tendency to put a light, happy face gloss on every line he plays: his solo on Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” is especially sugar-coated, and Thelonious Monk’s “I Mean You” has only traces of Monk’s original spunk. Just a hint of Bill Evans-style melancholy would have made this recording first-rate.