Songs Without Words

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This multi-disc survey showcases pianist Hersch performing original material, including the title suite; jazz standards; and Cole Porter songs. The Washington Post says it “might be the one three-CD set, this or any year, that leaves you asking for more.”

Description

Pianist and composer Fred Hersch, called, by Downbeat "one of the small handful of brilliant musicians of his generation," presents a rare survey of his multi-faceted artistry on the 3-CD set Songs Without Words. The set includes a disc of Hersch's original compositions, a disc of interpretations of pieces by a variety of noted jazz composers, and a disc devoted to the music of Cole Porter. All three discs are primarily solo piano albums interspersed with duo, trio, and quintet performances.

"The set is unique in the way that it demonstrates all the things I like to do, as an arranger, composer, solo artist, collaborator, and bandleader, “ says Hersch. “There's a group of pieces where I'm interpreting songs that have lyrics, a group of pieces where I'm dealing with the jazz tradition, and then my tunes, which are very technically demanding. It's all there." Hersch recorded all three discs simultaneously, mixing the material in the recording studio into "sets," much like those he might employ in a concert performance, in order to capture the spontaneity of a live setting.

Disc one of the set is also is titled Songs Without Words, named for the suite of six original Hersch compositions that open the disc. Each of the movements is intended for solo piano and presents a particular technical challenge, with Hersch's innate sense of melodicism present throughout the classically-inspired suite. To complete the disc, Hersch chose three of his favorite older original tunes: "Child's Song" (performed as a duet with percussionist Jamey Haddad), "Heartsong" and "Sarabande." Also included here is a newer piece inspired by recent Hersch bandmate Kenny Wheeler called "Up in the Air," performed in duet with trumpeter Ralph Alessi.

For volume two, Jazz Tunes, Hersch selected ten pieces by some of his favorite jazz composers, including both well-known standards (Ellington's "Mood Indigo," Juan Tizol's "Caravan," Monk's "Work") and lesser-known gems (Kenny Wheeler's "Winter Sweet," Russ Freeman's "The Wind"). "Whenever I put together a disc, it's like planning a meal," Hersch says. "I'll need to have variety, pianistic contrast and moods within each album, but each disc has to hang together as a statement." This solo set is broken up with a version of Wayne Shorter's "Fall" by Hersch's new quintet, which includes saxophonist Rich Perry, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Nasheet Waits.

The final volume, Cole's Songs, presents Hersch's take on the songbook of Cole Porter, including such well-loved tunes as "So in Love," "Don't Fence Me In," "From This Moment On" and "You're the Top." On this disc, as with Hersch's previous songbook releases, the challenge was in interpreting instrumentally songs that were originally written with lyrics. "When I'm figuring out how I want to approach a tune, I think about the words," Hersch says. "I'd like to think that if you know the words, you'll understand how I arrived at a particular interpretation." Hersch uses his quintet on "Everytime We Say Goodbye," while his longstanding trio of bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey plays "Easy yo Love." The set ends with a rousing duet with Rainey on "Let’s Do It."

Taken as a whole, Songs Without Words is a comprehensive and illuminating portrait of Fred Hersch as he continues to explore and expand the role of solo piano in jazz while also offering glimpses of his work in other settings. Songs Without Words is Hersch's sixth Nonesuch release.

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Fred Hersch
Associate Producer: Arthur Moorhead
Recorded and Mixed at Ambient Recording Company, Stamford, CT by A.T. Michael MacDonald
Assisted by Mark Conese
Steinway Piano Model “D”
Piano Technician: Chris Solliday
Edited and Mastered at AlgoRhythms, NYC by A.T. Michael MacDonald

Disc 1, all selections composed by Fred Hersch; disc 3, all selections composed by Cole Porter. All selections on discs 2 & 3 arranged by Fred Hersch.

Design by John Gall
Photography by Michael Wilson

Executive Producer: Robert Hurwitz

Nonesuch Selection Number

79612

Number of Discs in Set
3discs
ns_album_artistid
57
ns_album_id
413
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Fred Hersch
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Fred Hersch, piano
with
Ralph Alessi, flugelhorn (disc 1, track 8), trumpet (discs 2 & 3, track 5)
Reid Anderson, bass (disc 2 & 3, track 5)
Drew Gress, bass (disc 3, track 7)
Jamey Haddad, percussion (disc 1, track 7)
Rich Perry, tenor sax (discs 2 & 3, track 5)
Tom Rainey, drums (disc 3, tracks 7, 10)
Nasheet Waits, drums (disc 2 & 3, track 5)

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
Price
0.00
UPC
075597961225BUN
Label
MP3
Price
19.00
UPC
075597961263
  • 79612

Track Listing

News & Reviews

  • Fred Hersch will perform two shows in San Francisco this weekend: a free solo concert and conversation at the Community Music Center on Friday and a concert at Herbst Theatre with his new Pocket Orchestra Saturday night. He spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle about his recent triumph over a number of life-threatening illnesses and his return to the stage. "Hersch, who plays jazz with uncommon fluency, feeling and invention," says the Chronicle, "has recovered, regaining his strength through intense physical therapy and getting back to the affirming business of making music."

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  • About This Album

    Pianist and composer Fred Hersch, called, by Downbeat "one of the small handful of brilliant musicians of his generation," presents a rare survey of his multi-faceted artistry on the 3-CD set Songs Without Words. The set includes a disc of Hersch's original compositions, a disc of interpretations of pieces by a variety of noted jazz composers, and a disc devoted to the music of Cole Porter. All three discs are primarily solo piano albums interspersed with duo, trio, and quintet performances.

    "The set is unique in the way that it demonstrates all the things I like to do, as an arranger, composer, solo artist, collaborator, and bandleader, “ says Hersch. “There's a group of pieces where I'm interpreting songs that have lyrics, a group of pieces where I'm dealing with the jazz tradition, and then my tunes, which are very technically demanding. It's all there." Hersch recorded all three discs simultaneously, mixing the material in the recording studio into "sets," much like those he might employ in a concert performance, in order to capture the spontaneity of a live setting.

    Disc one of the set is also is titled Songs Without Words, named for the suite of six original Hersch compositions that open the disc. Each of the movements is intended for solo piano and presents a particular technical challenge, with Hersch's innate sense of melodicism present throughout the classically-inspired suite. To complete the disc, Hersch chose three of his favorite older original tunes: "Child's Song" (performed as a duet with percussionist Jamey Haddad), "Heartsong" and "Sarabande." Also included here is a newer piece inspired by recent Hersch bandmate Kenny Wheeler called "Up in the Air," performed in duet with trumpeter Ralph Alessi.

    For volume two, Jazz Tunes, Hersch selected ten pieces by some of his favorite jazz composers, including both well-known standards (Ellington's "Mood Indigo," Juan Tizol's "Caravan," Monk's "Work") and lesser-known gems (Kenny Wheeler's "Winter Sweet," Russ Freeman's "The Wind"). "Whenever I put together a disc, it's like planning a meal," Hersch says. "I'll need to have variety, pianistic contrast and moods within each album, but each disc has to hang together as a statement." This solo set is broken up with a version of Wayne Shorter's "Fall" by Hersch's new quintet, which includes saxophonist Rich Perry, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Nasheet Waits.

    The final volume, Cole's Songs, presents Hersch's take on the songbook of Cole Porter, including such well-loved tunes as "So in Love," "Don't Fence Me In," "From This Moment On" and "You're the Top." On this disc, as with Hersch's previous songbook releases, the challenge was in interpreting instrumentally songs that were originally written with lyrics. "When I'm figuring out how I want to approach a tune, I think about the words," Hersch says. "I'd like to think that if you know the words, you'll understand how I arrived at a particular interpretation." Hersch uses his quintet on "Everytime We Say Goodbye," while his longstanding trio of bassist Drew Gress and drummer Tom Rainey plays "Easy yo Love." The set ends with a rousing duet with Rainey on "Let’s Do It."

    Taken as a whole, Songs Without Words is a comprehensive and illuminating portrait of Fred Hersch as he continues to explore and expand the role of solo piano in jazz while also offering glimpses of his work in other settings. Songs Without Words is Hersch's sixth Nonesuch release.

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Fred Hersch, piano
    with
    Ralph Alessi, flugelhorn (disc 1, track 8), trumpet (discs 2 & 3, track 5)
    Reid Anderson, bass (disc 2 & 3, track 5)
    Drew Gress, bass (disc 3, track 7)
    Jamey Haddad, percussion (disc 1, track 7)
    Rich Perry, tenor sax (discs 2 & 3, track 5)
    Tom Rainey, drums (disc 3, tracks 7, 10)
    Nasheet Waits, drums (disc 2 & 3, track 5)

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by Fred Hersch
    Associate Producer: Arthur Moorhead
    Recorded and Mixed at Ambient Recording Company, Stamford, CT by A.T. Michael MacDonald
    Assisted by Mark Conese
    Steinway Piano Model “D”
    Piano Technician: Chris Solliday
    Edited and Mastered at AlgoRhythms, NYC by A.T. Michael MacDonald

    Disc 1, all selections composed by Fred Hersch; disc 3, all selections composed by Cole Porter. All selections on discs 2 & 3 arranged by Fred Hersch.

    Design by John Gall
    Photography by Michael Wilson

    Executive Producer: Robert Hurwitz