While We Were Gone
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
A staple in the New York City jazz scene, Paul Jost’s vocal prowess has brought him all over the world, and here he brings us a double live album where Jim Ridl contributes piano, Tim Horner sits behind the drum kit, and Lorin Cohen, Dean Johnson and Martin Wind trade off on bass.
“Poetic Justice” leads the listen with Jost’s soulful harmonica before spoken word alongside graceful keys and sublime singing that pays tribute to George Floyd enters, and “Bye Bye Blackbird” follows with a very playful and dreamy display of subtle drumming and fluid keys amid Jost’s expressive pipes.
Further on in disc 1, Johnson’s hypnotic bass complements the stylish climate of “Gentle Rain”, while “A Beautiful Friendship” glides with a frisky approach of vocal scatting, swift drumming and an energy that will get your body moving. “Some Other Time” exits this portion of the listen with a romantic spirit of emotive singing, sophisticated keys and brushed percussion.
The 2nd disc continues the mood with the soft and intimate “Livin’ In The Wrong Time”, and “Young And Foolish” showcases Wind’s incredible bass plucking in the hazy album highlight where Jost hits some pretty high notes.
Further still, “I Thought About You” brings Wind back for a busy and precise landscape of timeless jazz sounds, and “The Nearness Of You” allows Cohen’s bass work to shine in a profoundly beautiful late album stunner.
The sound here is incredible, and the diversity with spoken word moments and some covers tossed in (i.e. Randy Newman) makes this 5th album from Jost as leader one where he puts an equal amount of sincerity and heart into each track, effectively further cementing his position as one of the best male vocalists alive today.
Travels well with: Shannon Gunn- On A Mountain; Earl MacDonald- Consecrated