What’s in the Box?
Jazz Compass
LA based guitarist Larry Koonse has added another nifty release to his arsenal. After the baroque sounding duet release 2 years ago with his dad (Dialogues of the Heart) and lst year’s pastoral disc with bassist Darek Oles (Storybook), he has ventured into the workbook of overlooked guitarist Jimmy Wyble, who made his name with Benny Goodman and Red Norvo in the 50s and 60s. Interpreted in formats from solo all the way to quartet with a formidable supporting team of Dave Koonse (g), Oles or Putter Smith (b), Gary Foster (cl) and Joe LaBarbera (dr), the songs have a freshness and bounce that is quite invigorating. Foster’s Artie Shaw-like clarinet is a consistent high point, cooing through pieces like “Two Lines For Barney” and “One From Davie”. Father Dave’s guitar work, along with the bassists during the trios “Stella By Starlight” and “Variations on a Theme” are sublime and starry in their radiance. As always, LaBarbara’s drum work is textbook perfect. All throughout, leader Larry’s dark and lonely guitar is clean and embracing; his solo vehicle “For Alec Wilder” closes the disc with a touch of élan. If these guys lived in NY instead of the Valley, there would be statues of them in from of the Lincoln Center.
- George Harris