In the mid-'90s, Braxton released several recordings featuring himself on piano. While he had written a number of pieces for the instrument (generally in classical mode), on his own these sessions tended to find him "in the tradition" of the standard jazz repertoire. If his playing falls short of other notables who dabbled on the keys (the great Mingus Plays Piano perhaps towering above them all), it forms yet another intriguing aspect of this deep, endlessly fascinating musician. Here, Braxton joins forces with the then current Mario Pavone quartet, an all-star lineup in and of itself with trumpeter Dave Douglas, multi-reed master Thomas Chapin, and drummer Pheeroan Ak Laff. The pieces, as well as Braxton's approach to the piano, tend to ramble albeit with much affection shown toward the material. He sounds a bit like a looser, less organized Don Pullen, beginning his solos inside the changes but inevitably working them into freer territory. His comping behind the other soloists is reasonably competent if perfunctory. It must be said that his voice on piano has little of the distinction or passion expressed on his multiple reeds. The rest of the musicians play the date in a fairly straight manner resulting in an OK blowing session, but all involved have created far more striking work elsewhere. Only the final cut, Coltrane's "Straight Street," really begins to take off. If you desperately need to have an example of Braxton's piano playing in your collection, this release would do better than, say, the double solo set on Justin Time, but it's difficult to make the case for Seven Standards 1995 being essential listening.
Tracks
Dewey Square (Charlie Parker)
2. Autumn in New York (Vernon Duke)
3. All or Nothing at All (Arthur Altman/Jack Lawrence)
4. Eronel (Thelonious Monk)
5. These Foolish Things (Harry Link/Holt Marvell/Jack Strachey)
6. The End of a Love Affair (Edward Redding)
7. Straight Street (John Coltrane)
DAVE DOUGLAS trumpet
PHEEROAN AK LAFF drums
THOMAS CHAPIN alto saxophone, flute & piccolo
MARIO PAVONE bass
ANTHONY BRAXTON piano
Recorded at East Side Sound, N.Y.C. on January 11, 1995
Knitting Factory Works - KFW 168