Having bonded to the extent of extreme empathy with Mr Hébert and Mr McPherson he is able to do absolutely magical things to melodies, with nuanced harmony and just the most perfect rhythmic push coming from his comrades. Once again – this time on Live in Europe – the members of the trio parley with the familiarity of old friends, yet their playing always retains that sense of gracious etiquette associated with the most noble small ensembles such as the ones of Paul Bley, Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett; veritable academies of Jazz music if ever such a fanciful entity really existed. Nothing is forced or exaggerated or overly mannered; tempos, ensemble and balance – all seem exactly right. Moreover bass and drum sound is lucid, while the piano is sublimely in tune. Songs from “We See” to “The Big Easy” through to “Blue Monk” are, in sum, sincere and poised accounts, a fitting tribute to the composers, their music and to the extraordinary history of the piano or Jazz piano trio.
One can almost see and “feel” the dramatic darkness of the stage in Brussels where this album was recorded as Mr Hersch, Mr Hébert and Mr McPherson unleash their rippling soli and complex boppish runs. Special moments include: when Mr Hersch injects a cinematic quality into “Bristol Fog”, and when the trio launches into the effervescent percussive tumbling groove of “Newklypso” before a loose and funky close to that song. The considerable degree of balance and integration of melody, harmony and rhythm, of composition and improvisation, of exploration, individuality and tradition is impressively maintained throughout this eminently desirable live album.
Track list – 1: Wee See; 2: Snape Maltings; 3: Scuttlers; 4: Skipping; 5: Bristol Fog; 6: Newklypso; 7: The Big Easy; 8: Miyako; 9: Black Nile; 10: Blue Monk
Personnel – Fred Hersch: piano; John Hébert: bass; Eric McPherson: drums
Released – 2018
Label – Palmetto Records (PM 2192)
Runtime – 1:01:49