Heard Again For The First Time
Ravello, 2021
8/10
Listen to Heard Again For The First Time
Paul Cohen knows his way around a saxophone, and here, along with the Eastern Wind Symphony and the direction of Todd Nichols, he brings plenty of solos and varied textures to the diverse compositions of Heard Again For The First Time.
“Concerto For Alto Saxophone” starts the listen and brings the Eastern Wind Symphony into Cohen’s precise and often dreamy sax prowess, where the winds add much allure to the flowing setting, and “Concerto No. 2” follows with Roger Nye’s warm bassoon and Rebecca Cypess’ twinkling harpsichord highlighting the agile, cinematic climate.
“Ballade Carnavalesque” lands in the middle and brings flute, oboe, piano, bassoon, and, of course, Cohen’s sax to the very mature and precisely layered delivery, while “The Lone Prairie” focuses on Brett Deubner’s stirring viola and Allison Brewster Franzetti’s sublime piano amid much beauty.
The album ends with “Trio”, where flute, sax and piano bounce around each other with incredible musicianship and a chemistry so developed, it alone is worth the price of admission.
Some of these songs go back over 100 years, and Cohen and company but a fresh coast of paint on them with an unparalleled attention to detail and no lack of imagination that will appeal to those with an ear for classical, orchestral and chamber sounds.
Travels well with: James Dashow- Synchronies; Nicki Roman- Unquiet Waters