Record date: August 11, 1987
Mal must have been traveling the world more, on tour, then he was really at home in Munich or Brussels. In the same summer as his U.S. tour he went to his beloved Japan too. Probably for a short while as he was back in the U.S. at the end of August again to appear at Sweet Basil. His little journey to Japan resulted in one record this time: ‘Both Sides Now’. It’s another solo piano disc and though there is no hearable audience it’s definitely recorded in a concert hall. It focusses more on the classical side of Mal playing works by Satie and mostly Chopin.
Even the starting jazz standard ‘I’m A Fool to Want You’ has slight hints of classical music. And it’s fascinating how Mal implement those subtle hints into the music. It’s not over the top, but it’s definitely there. The following Ballade by Chopin is one of the best known by the composer. It’s such a beautiful melody and it’s dark emotional feeling really fits Mal well. Chopin was one of the composer’s he had to play over and over again in his teens when he was educated as a classical pianist. Mal doesn’t only play the theme but improvises on it as well. He doesn’t make it too jazzy, really respecting the original composition. The multiple variations he takes, changing in rhythm really reminds of classical music as well. His solo remains pretty close to the theme. A pretty successful effort if you ask me but perhaps I am offending purists here. I like it anyway.
Waldron’s own ‘For My Daddy’ has the sentimental feel that the title suggests. But it is sincerely beautiful. It has a very atmospheric feel over it with a mysterious beauty. The other Chopin compositions are also nice, but the improvisations sound a little less inspired. The closing Satie on the other hand is of great beauty again, just like on the trio album with Workman and Blackwell.
Not very expensive but pretty hard to find. This is one of Mal’s more rare solo albums. It’s a very good record with a nice view on how Mal interprets work’s by the great classical composer’s. And a great chance to hear how he was influenced by them. The sound of the record is very nice with a slight echo. It adds up to the feeling of a classical concert pianist. It was recorded in a concert hall but there was probably no audience. Recommended music but probably not if Chopin’s works are like the Holy Scripture to you…
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