Today's review is for a CD that was released a while ago. I never got to listen to it until recently, and once I heard it I knew I had to get the word out. The CD, "Standards" is by Pianist/Composer Noah Haidu who is joined by Bassists Buster Williams and Peter Washington, Drummer Lewis Nash and guest Sax player Steve Wilson. The CD was inspired and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the remarkable Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette's first "Standards" album. Noah Haidu says, "There's something so vulnerable about playing in this context, when you're completely exposed. Of course, I love composing because you can create an entire world, your own language of sound. But with these old standards all you've got is your own musicality and the connection you have with the music and the players. That requires a willingness to let go and see where the song takes you, something that can't be taught or practiced." The theme of lost love is the emotional center of so many of the standards on this CD like "Skylark", "All The Way" and "I Thought About You". Haidu says "There've been a few painful breakups in recent years and I lost my father with whom I was very close. That universal feeling of lost love comes into play on so many standards, especially the ballads." It's wonderful that we have another highly-talented young Pianist willing to continue the Keith Jarrett tradition of spot-lightning a new look at standards for Jazz fans today!
I have attached two "YouTube" videos. The first is a beautiful presentation of . "Skylark". The second is the classic ballad, "Beautiful Friendship".
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