The Anthony Wilson Trio
Jack Of Hearts
Groove Note Records
www.groovenote.com
By George W. Harris

This disc shows why Anthony Wilson is one of the most in-demand
guitarists around, and first call for leaders like from Diane Krall to
Benny Wallace. He can be as mellow as a kitten, or cook like a juke
jointer, as he shows on this B3 trio date with Larry Goldings and
drummers Jeff Hamilton or Jim Keltner.

All four artists have made a great living as studio studs, with Keltner
being on some seminal sessions with Clapton’s “Layla” and Joe Cocker’s
“Mad Dogs and Englishmen.” The tunes with his sticks have a bit more
bite to them; “Mezcal” and “Harajuku” could almost pass for “Layla” out
takes, with their loose, bluesy feel. “Theme From ‘Chinatown’” however,
is mystical and subdued. Wilson’s work with Hamilton on Ellington’s
“Carnegie Blues” and “Zweet Zursday” have an infectious R&B swing to
them, with Goldings pulling all the right plugs at the right time. A
perfect sample of timeless and transcendent music.