Songbook (Kenny Garrett album)

Songbook is the eighth studio album by Kenny Garrett, released in 1997 by Warner Bros. Records.[1] It features Garrett in a quartet consisting of pianist Kenny Kirkland and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts (both known as part of Branford Marsalis’s quartet), and bassist Nat Reeves.

Songbook
Studio album by
Kenny Garrett
ReleasedMay 1997
RecordedJanuary 7–8, 1997
StudioSear Sound, NYC
GenreJazz
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerRobin Burgess
Kenny Garrett chronology
Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane
(1996)		 Songbook
(1997)		 Simply Said
(1999)

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings[3]

The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.[4]

In a review for AllMusic, Chris Slawecki wrote: "Always inventive, curious, daring, and exuberant, Garrett's Songbook proves him worthy of the alto legacy that most people... seem to agree he carries, as he demonstrates what sounds like the uncanny ability to play two-faced -- one face looking forward to the freshness of new concepts and creations as yet undiscovered, yet with another face which simultaneously looks back to the fine, fierce alto tradition of Phil Woods and Charlie Parker."[2]

Owen Cordle of JazzTimes noted Garrett's "intense and passionate" sound, and called his sidemen "tough players who create a slashing rhythmic drive." He commented: "there's no doubt about the musical success and capability of these players with any material."[5]

Writing for The Washington Post, Geoffrey Himes stated that, on the album, Garrett "emerges as an imposing composer," and remarked: "The modal improvising, the impressionistic gestures, the willingness to slip in and out of a swinging groove all give the 10 pieces the ability to challenge and surprise."[6]

Billboard's Paul Verna called the album Garrett's "most original and accomplished traditional set to date" and "a muscular, no-filler set," with playing that "ranges from rough, avant-gardish riffery to sweetly keening alto tones."[7]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."2 Down & 1 Across"Kenny Garrett5:16
2."November 15"Kenny Garrett7:38
3."Wooden Steps"Kenny Garrett6:07
4."Sing a Song of Song"Kenny Garrett7:22
5."Brother Hubbard"Kenny Garrett6:34
6."Ms. Baja"Kenny Garrett5:54
7."The House That Nat Built"Kenny Garrett4:25
8."She Waits for the New Sun"Kenny Garrett6:22
9."Before It's Time to Say Goodbye"Kenny Garrett5:17
10."Sound of the Flying Pygmies"Kenny Garrett4:40

Personnel

Musicians

Production

  • Robin Burgess – management, co-producer
  • Joe Ferla – engineer
  • Greg Calbi – engineer (mastering)
  • John Reigart – assistant engineer (recording)
  • Tom Schick – assistant engineer (recording)
  • Ed Raso – assistant engineer (mixing)
  • Stephen Walker – art direction
  • Lenn Irish – photography

References
  1. "Artist Biography by Thom Jurek". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  2. Chris Slawecki. "Kenny Garrett: Songbook". AllMusic. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  3. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 531. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  4. "Kenny Garrett". Recording Academy. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  5. Cordle, Owen (September 1, 1997). "Kenny Garrett: Songbook". JazzTimes. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  6. Himes, Geoffrey (May 30, 1997). "Kenny Garrett: Songbook". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  7. Verna, Paul (June 21, 1997). "Reviews and Previews". Billboard. p. 72 – via Google Books.
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