Tom Harrell - Stories (Contemporary, 1988)

This post is by Scott and Dan

Tom Harrell (tr, flgn); Bob Berg (ts); John Scofield (g); Niels Lan Doky (p); Ray Drummond (d); Billy Hart (d)

Recorded on January 26 and 27, 1988

Our earlier post for Tom Harrell's Moon Alley praised his compositions. We could have selected almost all of Harrell's 80s recordings; they are uniformly good. For example, Sail Away (Contemporary, 1989) is exceptional and something of a breakout album for Harrell. Likewise, Play of Light, recorded in 1982 but not released by Blackhawk until 1986, is very strong. But we like Stories from 1988 the best.

Why? Again, there is the matter of Harrell's writing. "Rapture" is revisited from the Moon Alley session along with three other compositions to fill side 1 of the LP. Side 2 has two longer pieces: "Story" at 13:34 and "Viable Blues" at 9:25. "Viable" is the only basic blowing tune, and it sounds like a jazz standard. Solos from Billy Hart and Ray Drummond are featured. The other pieces aren't necessarily cerebral; just tuneful and tasteful. It's not easy to figure out why Harrell's tunes are so joyful and complete. But we don't really need to know as long as our ears are happy.

Bob Berg plays a major role in the success of Story. His ensemble work creates a perfect blend with Harrell's two horns, and his solos are both forceful and lyrical as the situation dictates. John Scofield also appears on three of the six cuts, contributing a bluesy solo on "The Water's Edge" and joining in on "Story" and "Viable Blues." Danish pianist Nils Lan Doky makes the best of his solo opportunity on "Viable Blues."

Clearly, the decade was a good one for Harrell, establishing him at the forefront of jazz. Story is solid evidence of the health and wellbeing of jazz in the 1980s