Think about it; who else besides Fred Hersch consistently puts out strong and creative albums? His canon ranges from solo to trio to live stage, and his style is completely is own, with that rare “one note and you know” personal touch.
As with many great concert recordings, this one from a Nov 2017 gig in Brussels, Belgium was done without prior knowledge by Hersch, so the feeling is completely relaxed, and you’re getting a glimpse of the team of Hersch with John Hebert/b and Eric McPherson/dr at their Our Town best.
Hersch bookends the concert with Monk tunes. The opening “Wee See” has Hersch being deft, dainty, delicate and wonderfully eccentric with McPherson before shifting into swing gear, while the solo encore of “Blue Monk” is joyful and fun. Hersch stands alone in able to absorb Monk’s angularity and add his own personal foibles in a wonderful manner. Hersch’s own quirky Bachish “Nape Maltins” features some nice picking by Hebert” while his inner Chopin is touched on a nocturnal “Bristol Fog.” The team gets hip on “Newklypso” and is mossy on the vines for a bluesy and mint julep lazy “The Big Easy.” A pair of Wayne Shorter tunes has him buoyant over McPherson’s rumbling on “Black Nile” and creating pastels on “Miyako.” Not sure what more you want from a pianist, but if you find out, let me know, because as of now, Hersch is the Teleos of modern jazz piano.