The blind pianist Tete Montoliu was a marvel to listen to, though most of his recordings were made for European labels which were poorly distributed in the U.S. This 1977 solo effort for Timeless finds him in top form. A pair of his original compositions are thinly disguised (but enjoyable) reworkings of standards, including "Yellow Dolphin Street" (adapted from "On Green Dolphin Street") and "I Hate You" (from Cole Porter's "I Love You"). But the pianist more than does justice to two great jazz ballads: Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" and Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now." The highlight of the date may very well be his dazzling composition "Napoleon." Although this may be one of Tete Montoliu's more obscure recordings, it is also one of his finest. - Ken Dryden
Tracks
1. Yellow Dolphin Street (Tete Montoliu)
2. Come Sunday (Duke Ellington)
3. I Hate You (Tete Montoliu)
4. You've Changed (Carl Fischer)
5. Walse for Nicolien (Tete Montoliu)
6. Where Are You (Harold Adamson/Jimmy McHugh
7. Napoleon (Tete Montoliu)
8. If You Could See Me Now (Tadd Dameron)
TETE MONTOLIU piano
Recorded February 28th, 1978 at Dureco Studio. Weesp, Holland
Timeless Records - SJP 107 / Timeless Records CDSOL-6336