Artist: Steve Kuhn Quartet
Album: Last Year’s Waltz
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 1982/2019
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 96 kHz
Duration: 50:11
Total Tracks: 10
Total Size: 1019 MB

Tracklist:

1. Steve Kuhn Quartet – Turn To Gold (04:04)
2. Steve Kuhn Quartet – The Drinking Song (05:54)
3. Steve Kuhn Quartet – Last Year’s Waltz (04:17)
4. Steve Kuhn Quartet – I Remember You (08:37)
5. Steve Kuhn Quartet – Mexico (05:16)
6. Steve Kuhn Quartet – The Fruit Fly (05:51)
7. Steve Kuhn Quartet – The Feeling Within (04:46)
8. Steve Kuhn Quartet – Old Folks / Well You Needn’t (02:03)
9. Steve Kuhn Quartet – Confirmation (05:48)
10. Steve Kuhn Quartet – The City Of Dallas (03:30)

Download:

Last Year’s Waltz has everything a great live jazz album should: a present feel, gobs of atmosphere, and, oh yeah, Sheila Jordan. Right off the bat, interplay from Bob Moses and Harvie Swartz kicks us into wakefulness in “Turn To Gold.” Gilded by Kuhn’s indeed alchemical but always punctual pianism, this dose of smoothness is sure to please. Kuhn brings a montuno flavor to “The Drinking Song,” which is deepened by Jordan’s diaristic musings, both expository and speculative, and boasts enough woops from her band mates to keep our blood at a constant boil. The title track is a languid trickle that quickly crackles into a melodious and cinematic punch bowl. The key to unlocking the set’s inner secrets is “The Fruit Fly,” which, in both title and execution, evokes Chick Corea’s blissful optimism. Downright wondrous pianism and omnipotent drumming make this the instrumental standout (the solo piano “Medley” runs a close second). Kuhn works his magic through “The Feeling Within,” weaving a luxurious carpet for Jordan’s vocal footsteps. Two standards—a decidedly upbeat rendition of “I Remember You” and the virtuosic scat-fest that is “Confirmation”—and the bittersweet yet crowd-pleasing tune “The City Of Dallas” (Steve Swallow) complete this living portrait of a group in its prime. As the recording fades, members of the crowd shout, “More!”

I second that.

Not only does Last Year’s Waltz show us Jordan at her best, but its explosive energy and archival importance make it by far Kuhn’s finest quartet joint of the 80s. A reissue is a must.For a time, singer Sheila Jordan was a regular member of pianist Steve Kuhn’s quartet, a group also including bassist Harvie Swartz and drummer Bob Moses. This live set finds the band performing five Kuhn originals, one apiece by Swartz and Steve Swallow, plus “I Remember You,” “Confirmation,” and a brief medley. Although Jordan functions as a member of the band, her highly appealing singing is the main reason to acquire this memorable and well-rounded disc. – Scott Yanow