*** HAMIET BLUIETT”Blues & Ballads: Live atthe...
*** HAMIET BLUIETT
“Blues & Ballads: Live at
the Village Vanguard”
Soul Note
Bluiett’s baritone is in a rare, reserved mood on this quartet date recorded at the landmark club in 1994. Always one to emphasize the bottom range of his instrument (especially when playing with the World Saxophone Quartet), Bluiett here puts his sizable tone to both lusty and resoundingly mellow use.
Guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Clint Houston and drummer Ben Riley, though completely compatible, are reduced to minor players here as the saxophonist’s sound overwhelms “You’ve Changed,” “I Can’t Get Started” and Bluiett’s own “Thelonious.” In Bluiett’s hands, the sadly underused baritone comes alive.
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