With: Steve Lacy (soprano saxophone), Mal Waldron (piano)
Record date: June 28, 1992
Mal and Steve were affiliated with each other trough their whole life. From their first meeting in the late ’50’s until Mal’s death in 2002. And Steve was to die only a few years later unfortunately. They played in all kinds of settings: duo’s, trio’s, quintets and sextets and made lots of records together. In the years 1992 and 1993 3 of their live encounters were recorded. It made sense too me to merge them into one review as they have the same tendency. But don’t get me wrong, every single one of these records is something different. And with all their duets recorded I could still say: you could buy every one of them without hesitation..
This first concert in June 1992 was recorded at The Jazz In’It festival in Vignola in Italy. Both Mal and Steve had a special relationship with that country and the love was completely mutual. They recorded lots of records there, both live as in the studio. And the idea of the duo came from an Italian producer according to the liners of ‘Hot House’. This concert was made in honor of Thelonious Monk, the pianist that is probably the biggest influence on both men. They played a lot of his tunes troughout their career but this is the only album that is completely filled with his compositions. All but one: I’ll Keep Loving You which is by Bud Powell of course.
From all of their records together this is probably the one I found least interesting. That still means it’s very good because these guys never made a bad or uninspired record. But compared to other work it’s definitely not their best. They know like no other how to play a Monk tune and some of their performances of them are among the very best I know. But they are especially nice as one of the songs on an album. I miss a composition by Mal or Lacy here as they are usually more adventurous and provide a little more freedom. The playing here is very subdued and the version of ‘Round Midnight for example misses that vibe that their version at the Bimhuis had in 1982. It’s like they just didn’t really had their night.
Overall their playing is still great and this a very accessible record to listen to and a must have for every Monk fan that’s around. It was brought out on the Italian ‘Nel’ label and is avaible for a very low price. It was reissued by Jazzaround with hideous artwork. The original Nel release comes with an extensive booklet but all liners are in Italian. Really, if you are able to buy it for the 3 euros some sellers are asking for it: just get it.
This first concert in June 1992 was recorded at The Jazz In’It festival in Vignola in Italy. Both Mal and Steve had a special relationship with that country and the love was completely mutual. They recorded lots of records there, both live as in the studio. And the idea of the duo came from an Italian producer according to the liners of ‘Hot House’. This concert was made in honor of Thelonious Monk, the pianist that is probably the biggest influence on both men. They played a lot of his tunes troughout their career but this is the only album that is completely filled with his compositions. All but one: I’ll Keep Loving You which is by Bud Powell of course.
From all of their records together this is probably the one I found least interesting. That still means it’s very good because these guys never made a bad or uninspired record. But compared to other work it’s definitely not their best. They know like no other how to play a Monk tune and some of their performances of them are among the very best I know. But they are especially nice as one of the songs on an album. I miss a composition by Mal or Lacy here as they are usually more adventurous and provide a little more freedom. The playing here is very subdued and the version of ‘Round Midnight for example misses that vibe that their version at the Bimhuis had in 1982. It’s like they just didn’t really had their night.
Overall their playing is still great and this a very accessible record to listen to and a must have for every Monk fan that’s around. It was brought out on the Italian ‘Nel’ label and is avaible for a very low price. It was reissued by Jazzaround with hideous artwork. The original Nel release comes with an extensive booklet but all liners are in Italian. Really, if you are able to buy it for the 3 euros some sellers are asking for it: just get it.
Record date: November 1, 1992
Where the Italian festival concert was one of their more accessible efforts, their concert in a small jazz revenue in Saitama, Japan is a little more exciting here and there. That is partly because of the compositional choices with again some work by Monk but also some originals by Mal and Steve themselves. ‘Monk’s Dream’ starts off pretty abstract but slowly merges more and more into the theme we all know. Yet these guys did get a little milder as their age progressed. ‘Powell’s ‘I’ll Keep Loving You’ is of great beauty like all of their versions together. On ‘Blues for Aida’ , it’s Lacy’s sad sounding soprano that gives the song an extra emotional dimension. Backed by Waldron’s subtle chords in the background it creates a sad soundscape. The album has an ideal balance in more straightforward compositions and the more abstract or tense one’s like Lacy’s ‘Blinks’. Some of the best moments are in Lacy’s ‘Blues for Aida’ with a beautiful solo by Mal who is touching his keys so gently the piano almost whispers the notes. As he drops out completely it’s Lacy on his own and that always works beautifully.
Released on the pretty obscure Japanese ‘Egg Farm’ label it’s not one of the most easy to get records. The sound is great but expect nothing special from the packaging. Those who want to get to know their work should probably start with the more known records. This is a very good record but not their best. If you’re a fan of this duo it, you’re collection could not lack this one.
Record date: May 16, 1993
Recorded in the next year during their first UK tour together. This one is my very favorite of the three with 78 minutes of astonishing music going from beautiful soft dialogues to intense free playing. It also has the ideal balance in compositions with some by the Mal and Steve themselves but also the known works by Monk, Strayhorn and Ellington. The concert was initiated by British reed player George Haslam who run’s SLAM records for which it was recorded. Mal was to record two duets with him in the next years for his label.
Now, this disc is already interesting for their unique outing of Duke’s beautiful ballad: ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ which is played in their own thoughtful way. Lacy run’s smoothly over the soft backings provided by Mal. There’s another tense version of their classic ’Snake Out’ where Lacy has the chance to go a little bit more out. Big surprise is when it slowly merges into Free for C.T. which is not mentioned in the album information. A mind-blowing version of ‘Blues for Aida’ where Steve is partly on his own again: a very deep listening experience. One could easily loose sense of direction without any company but Lacy never does, thinking carefully of every step he takes. Mal is also on his own starting with dark ominous tones from his piano. Just like Lacy he only plays a few notes but you just don’t want him to play any more. And as the icing on the cake a duo version of Mal’s funky ‘What it Is’ which works out fine without a rhythm section to set a funky beat.
This is Lacy and Waldron at their best with that chemistry that is almost like an indescribable thing but is always there. One of their essential records, do not hesitate to buy a copy for the ridiculous low prices on the internet. Do not expect anything from the packaging: SLAM’s records look a little like CD-R’s in booklet quality and no liner notes or whatsoever. But the music makes more than up to it. Essential stuff!
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