KURT ELLING — The Gate (review)

Album · 2011 · Vocal Jazz

4.5/5 · 2011-02-18
Matt

"Mr Kurt Elling" should be the term we use for Kurt these days and the only evidence required for his rise in stature is not because he won "Downbeat" or "Jazz Journalists", and "Jazz Times" jazz vocalist for 2010, the reason is this new album that has just been released by Kurt under the title,"The Gate" which has put him into double figures being his tenth album. Maturity and professionalism are the components behind the the talent of Kurt today and his wonderful partner "Laurence Hobgood" who can play piano with the best going around in Jazz today and actually does have a few albums of his own but the majority has been with Kurt stretching back to the very begining of his career with "Close Your Eyes". "Don Was" the super producer is doing just that with his effort behind the scenes bringing a wonderful sound to the production and even doing a little contributing to the arranging which primarily is done by Laurence and Kurt on "The Gate". There are a few talents behind Kurt with the album and "John Patitucci" who is doing bass duties is the absolute standout with his contribution which some beautiful touch and depth. He has played with everybody just about in the music industry. Another who has been around the block is "Bob Mintzer" who is doing tenor saxophone duties and we also have another seasoned artist with "John McClean" on guitar. "Terreon Gully" and "Kobie Watkins", more big names, are doing drums on respective tunes and we have the studio master who really has played with everbody doing his percussion,"Lenny Castro" and of course with his beautiful touch and technique "Laurence Hobgood" tickling the ivories.The selection of songs are another high point with more contempary tunes being performed and not just the standards."King Crimson","Joe Jackson","Lennon McCartney" and "Stevie Wonder" are some but we still get some classic material with Kurts take on "Duke Ellington" in "Nighttown Lady Bright" and "Miles Davis" with "Blue In Green".

"Matte Kudasai" the King Crimson song is first with Kurt saying that they pretty much did it with one take and John Patitucci took the lead first in with bass and Terreon came in on drums and everybody followed in with one great spontaneous result and isn't that what Jazz is all about. "Steppin' Out" by "Joe Jackson" follows which is arranged solely by Laurence which he says on the album notes that it was the trumpetor "Nicholas Payton's" arrangement. Performed a little slower than Joe's original version but with a great result by Kurt on vocals and a simply beautiful solo from Laurence on piano.The "Lennon McCartney" song "Norwegian Wood" has been a real little grower as it only gets better with each play as this whole album does. One great chunky guitar solo by "John McClean" and that bass of John Patituci providing a warm thump into it but never overtaking the sound." Blue In Green" the "Miles Davis" composition with the lyrics written by "Al Jarreau" is just another laid back stunner and Laurence on piano does it again.The following "Samurai Cowboy" is more like Kurt of old with a great beat feel to the tune and Bob's sax and John's bass giving some great backing to Kurts vocal delivery. The "Stevie Wonder song "Golden Lady" is given the Kurt stamp and some great scat near the end with one great sax solo from Bob.The closer is "Nighttown Lady Bright" with the words by the Duke himself with Kurt additions and is a take on a jazz musicians life and a wonderful way to close the album.

This album is a grower and is one where you will hear new things for many plays, all of Kurt's vocal styles are here, you just have to listen and every time I hear this gorgeous jazz vocal album it only gets better.I am betting Kurt wins again this year with all the Polls.