Don Friedman - Stella by Starlight (Insights, 1985)

This post is by Dan

Don Friedman (p)

Recorded October 31, 1985

Stella by Starlight is the second Don Friedman solo performance to be included in this blog. Like the previous one, it sat in the can for several years before it was released. I don't understand why, but I'm glad it was not shelved permanently.

In the earlier post for I Hear a Rhapsody, I gave details about Friedman's recording career, including recommended albums. I won't repeat them here. Instead, I'll just focus on the music.

The six standards in the Stella set all receive the same type of treatment, in which the song is played faithfully but quickly transformed into improvisations that go in many different directions, all without losing connection to the song. "If You Could See Me Now," for example, seems to plumb the depths of possible variations in melody, chordal underpinning, and intensity. "My Foolish Heart" is simply exquisite, and Benny Golson's "Stablemates" triggers an incredible flow of ideas at top speed. "Beautiful Love" is played like the love song that it is, then reinvented. These are all fascinating and original approaches to the standards songbook.

Friedman includes two of his own compositions: the pensive "Memories for Scotty," written for Scott LaFaro, and "Red Sea (Suite)." The LaFaro tribute is sad and heavy, yet uplifting and delicate. Friedman navigates through the emotional contrasts to great effect. I'm not sure what the suite is about, but it's best not to overthink some jazz compositions. It progresses through five or six movements that vary in tempo and intensity. I don't recognize any immediate association with middle Eastern music, as far as I understand it. The playing on both of these Friedman originals is as excellent as it is on the standards.