Ray Bryant: Up Above the Rock
From Up Above the Rock (Cadet, 1969)
The Overton Berry Trio: Superstar
From T.O.B.E. (C.E. 196?)
Now this is what I’m talking about when I say hammer drops – fonky fonky fonky piano tunes. Ray Bryant’s “Up Above the Rock” is pretty unf—wittable: hard drums, jabbering piano, and an arrangement that just seems born to make you move. Honestly, I don’t know I’ve heard anything as good as this done on acoustic piano (but if you know of one, please do share).
As for the Overton Berry Trio, this is off of one of two LPs by the Seattle jazz group and “Superstar” is the last song in a suite based on “Jesus Christ Superstar.” I know Berry (who’s a pianist) is the trio leader but you gotta give it up to the bassist (Chuck Metcalf) and drummer (Bill Kotick) for kicking this song off lovely before Berry jumps into the mix.
Ok, we’re off for the weekend.
chatter