Reviews of new releases,
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Marc Johnson
"The Sound of Summer Running"

On "The Sound of Summer Running" Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, and Joey Baron join Marc Johnson for a romp through the selected styles of each constituent. Is the whole equal to the sum of the parts? No. Is it worth a listen? Sure. But only to hear three of the ten tracks (IMHO).

Johnson wrote most of these tunes. I think he intended them to sound Metheny-ish. The CD opens with "Faith in You" which is a complete throw back to Metheny's seminal debut recording "Bright Sized Life". It's interesting to hear him reflect on this style 20 years later. Also in the PMG style is the title track which provides the most inspired playing of the session.

Frisell's tunes don't attempt such morphing. They're exactly what you'd expect from him, which is a western-sounding, slightly atonal blend of textures. It helps, too, that drummer Joey Barron from Frisell's band is on the session. Surprisingly Metheny submitted only one tune and it closes the album.

I wouldn't recommend this CD, which is a disappointment because I bought it! But I hope that you at least get to hear some of it. Marc Johnson's greatest solo work to date remains the two Bass Desires projects from the late 80's.

Rating: ** 1/2 (two and a half stars)

--AJL