Some Other Blues
Livia, 2023
9/10
It’s been a busy year for Louis Stewart releases, and this unearthed recording of his only recording with his mentor Noel Kelehan, from 1977, brings us 8 standards and an original from the pair.
“Yesterdays” opens the listen with Stewart’s glowing and meticulous guitar alongside Kelehan’s playful key manipulation, and “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” follows with no lack of melodic gestures from the swift guitar and cozy keys.
“I Only Have Time To Say I Love You”, the lone original, offers a heartfelt ballad from the pair’s cautious skills, while “I’ll Remember April” offers a quick, dynamic execution of animated and rich song craft.
“Some Time Ago” and “Singin’ In The Rain” land near the end, where the former emits stunning finger acrobatics from Stewart, and the latter spotlights Kelehan’s inimitable delivery of agile piano playing that we could never tire of.
It’s not hard to hear a Bill Evans influence in Kelehan’s playing, and Stewart’s delivery is, of course, unparalleled. Though they weren’t able to play together much, this document of their time together is packed with thriving solos, fast tempos, a pair of stirring ballads and chord fluctuation that will leave the listener captivated with each precise note.
Travels well with: Louis Stewart- Out On His Own; Dave Stryker- Prime