What distinguishes this album is the way in which the duo of Dave Liebman (on soprano sax) and Franco D'Andrea (on piano) dissect and reconstruct popular tunes to produce entirely new creations. The song titles are totally familiar, including "Autumn Leaves,""Caravan,""Sweet Georgia Brown," and "Freedom Jazz Dance." By turning them inside out and making them their own, Liebman and D'Andrea serve themselves and the tunes well. Sometimes, the melodies are barely recognizable at first, but by digging into the chords, the two masters make them sound fresh and modern. D'Andrea is one of the most underrated players on the scene, his romantic style spreading perfectly into the saxophonist's sensitive and delicate improvisations. While few of these interpretations call attention to themselves, the whole leaves a satisfying taste. - Steve Loewy
Tracks
1. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prévert)
2. Don't You Know the Time It Was (Duke Ellington)
3. Caravan (Duke Ellington/Irvin Mills/Juan Tizol)
4. Sweet Georgia Brown (Ben Bernie/Kenneth Casey/Maceo Pinkard)
5. Get Out of Town (Cole Porter)
6. Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills/Mitchell Parish)
7. Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris)
8. Hugly Beauty (Thelonious Monk)
DAVE LIEBMAN soprano saxophone
FRANCO D'ANDREA piano
Recorded at Barigozzi Studio, Milano April 1989
Red Record - RR 123234 - 2 Italy