Russell MALONE, Heartstrings - 46m 5s

Tracks & Durations

1. Heartstrings	6:36
2. How about me	5:12
3. Loved ones	3:28
4. You needed me	3:46
5. Handful of stars	4:34
6. Wind in the willow	5:30
7. Why try to change me now	5:05
8. The bad and the beautiful	2:50
9. Guess I´ll hang my tears out to dry	5:45
10. What a friend we have in Jesus	3:13

Note: The information about this album is acquired from the publicly available resources and we are not responsible for their accuracy.

Review

Guitarist Russ Malone got his breaks backing crooners Harry Connick and Diana Krall, but with his mellow Georgia style and slow-smoked grooves, he's well on his way to a solo career. This all-ballad date is built around a sumptuous and hallowed string orchestra with more-than-capable arrangers at the helm: pianist Alan Broadbent, guitarist Dori Caymmi, and composer Johnny Mandel. With virtually every tune taken at a somnolent tempo, the date becomes more the moody sleeper than it need have been, despite Malone's occasional deft double-timing ("Wind in the Willow") and soaring ("Why Try to Change Me Now?"). A feather-light rhythm trio "features" veteran sideman Kenny Barron, whose piano barely peeks into the limelight. Established young groovemeisters Christian McBride (tip-toeing in baby elephant shoes), and Jeff "Tain" Watts (brushes only!) don't merely coast, but tip their knowing hands into nudging along rare old standards like Irving Berlin's "How About Me" and David Raksin's "The Bad and the Beautiful." Hearing Malone caressing the late Milt Jackson's title ballad may well draw similarities with Joe Pass's stunning technical wizardry and George Benson's deep-blue silk. We wouldn't be surprised (but might be delighted) to hear Russ unveil his own mellifluous baritone here and there on some date soon. Heartstrings might score points as a classic "make-out" album à la Johnny Mathis, except perhaps when Malone's deeply devotional side emerges on a final familiar hymn ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus"). --Fred Bouchard

Please note: we do not provide any Russell MALONE music downloads, have no any mp3 music including music samples and music ringtones, and can not assist you where to buy music CDs and used CDs. You can search for it on music sites all over the Internet or visit one of our advertisers. We appreciate any ideas and comments about this experimental music database.