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Take Your Pick
1997 Concord Jazz CCD-4743
Howard Alden (g)
Michael Moore (b)
Bill Goodwin (d)
Lew Tabackin (ts, f)
Renee Rosnes (p)
SONGLIST:
 I Concentrate On You
U.M.M.G.
House Party Starting
Warm Valley
 The Gig
My Funny Valentine
Sweet And Lovely
You're My Thrill
How Deep Is The Ocean?
After All
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"Here's a good-old-fashioned jazz guitar album from one of Concord's young lions. Alden's work always sounds great, whether he's swinging with single-note runs ("The Gig"), playing chord solos ("I Concentrate on You"), or bringing new life to old warhorses on acoustic ("My Funny Valentine"). Alden is one of several jazzers playing seven-string and he shines throughout, along with other members of the band, especially the great Lew Tabackin on sax and flute. Listen to the wonderful interplay between the two on "House Party Starting" and "The Gig." I love this style of guitar playing. Sophisticated and traditional, but never boring; Alden is always sure where he's going. Highly recommended for fans of traditional jazz guitar."
John Heidt, VINTAGE GUITAR (May 1997)
"Howard Alden is rapidly becoming my favourite latter-day (i.e. post-60s) guitarist. His influences are varied enough to take in jazz from the swing era through Monk to Bill Evans and that eclecticism is very much on display in this latest, very satisfying album... the presence of Tabackin (with his Rollins-derived style) on five cuts, and Rosnes on six, adds spice to the mix. Highlights? Every track is a highlight, but I'll single out the solo, acoustic "Valentine" - Alden is wise enough here to avoid doing this as a duet with Rosnes (nobody could top the stunning Bill Evans/Jim Hall version) and uses that format instead for a beautiful, heart-stopping rendition of "Thrill"; probably the stand-out track on the disc. Howard Alden's best so far."
Michael Rose, 52ND STREET JAZZ (April 1997)
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Take Your Pick 