Scott Hamilton - Plays Ballads (Concord, 1989)

This post is by Dan

Scott Hamilton (ts); John Bunch (p); Chris Flory (g); Phil Flanigan (b); Chuck Riggs (d)

Recorded March, 1989

Scott Hamilton's arrival on the jazz scene in the mid 1970s sparked a controversy. Playing in a retro smooth swing style along with Warren Vaché and veterans like Ruby Braff, Hamilton was labeled a "young fogey," clearly out of touch with "modern" jazz. Sadly, the controversy detracted from the artistry of the young tenorist. He was, from the very beginning, an adept player with chops and a skilled interpreter of jazz standards. He was definitely "marketable," which caused further resentment from artists and critics who seemed to imply that jazz musicians needed to pay their dues before reaping the rewards of popularity.

Such responses would be hard to understand even ten years later when Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads was released. By then, the return to tradition was considered acceptable. Although Wynton Marsalis is credited with jazz's 1980s "resurgence," Hamilton was also reaching even further back in the tradition. We now understand jazz of the 80s as postmodern, so why not add swing to the multiple co-existing styles? 

Albums like Plays Ballads show that substance can triumph over style if you care to listen closely. It's a beautiful album, reminiscent of the tradition of ballad albums popular 30 years earlier. Hamilton plays with his heart on his sleeve throughout, while the rhythm players lay an elegant foundation. Occasional solos (e.g., John Bunch's piano on "Round Midnight" and Chris Flory's guitar on "Dream Dancing") lend some variety to the session. The Latin numbers ("Dream Dancing" and "A Beautiful Friendship") keep the session lively. All of these tunes may be ballads but none of them are soporific. 

The CD version includes three more ballads: "Laura," Embraceable You," and "Body and Soul." The editors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz, who chose Plays Ballads as one of their all-time favorites, write that these bonus tracks "are the outstanding performances on the record." Sounds like a good reason to look for a digital version. 

In any format, Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads is immensely enjoyable. I consider it to be Hamilton's best record.