JOANNE BRACKEEN
Popsicle Illusion
Arkadia Jazz
70372

About a month before receiving Popsicle Illusion, my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing Joanne Brackeen’s quartet in performance at the Outpost in Albuquerque. Interestingly, the quartet performed a few of the tunes ("Popsicle Illusion," "Knickerbocker Blues," "Telavivision") that appear on this solo piano CD. Though Brackeen is more than able to sustain my interest as a solo artist, I must confess that I enjoyed the quartet versions more. During the concert, it was readily apparent that Brackeen was joyfully riding the waves of energy put forth by her sidemen (bassist Ira Coleman, drummer Greg Hutchinson and tenor saxophonist Don Braden). Brackeen’s exceptional gift for spontaneous interaction was quite apparent when she first came to my attention in the late 1970s via a series of stunning trio recordings (with Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette) for Bob James’ Tappan Zee imprint. These acoustic trio recordings swing ferociously, and Brackeen’s improvisations burn with white-hot intensity that one would normally associate with more out players like Cecil Taylor. Here, some of this energy is still quite apparent, particularly on "High Tea for Stephany." For the most part, Brackeen seems to have mellowed a bit since then, though her desire to explore a variety of moods and musical approaches still burns brightly. Her interest in older styles (particularly stride piano) is quite evident, as is her gently wry sense of humor (her comments on the CD-closing interview are also a hoot). Both come to the fore on the opening "If I Were a Bell," which is recast in 7/4 time to great effect. Her rendition of "Prelude to a Kiss," while not as quirkily radical as Matthew Shipp’s recent version, is just as beautiful, original and distinctive. On the other hand, her interpretation of "Michelle" made me all too aware of the piece’s comparative triteness. In the end, it is Brackeen’s own labyrinthine compositions that juxtapose dark and light in the most interesting ways, thereby providing most of the high points on Popsicle Illusion.

Dave Wayne

Track Listing: 1. If I Were a Bell; 2. Michelle; 3. Popsicle Illusion; 4. From This Moment On; 5. Bess, You Is My Woman; 6. The Touch of Your Lips; 7. Telavivision; 8. Knickerbocker Blues; 9. High Tea for Stephany; 10. Prelude to a Kiss; 11. Nature Boy; 12. Interview with Joanne Brackeen

Personnel: Joanne Brackeen, piano