Musicians: Rave Tesar (piano), Kermit Driscoll (bass), Bill Tesar (drums).
Review: Rave Tesar is a veteran of the New York music scene. He is a keyboardist, arranger, producer, recording engineer and a writer with over 500 compositions to his credit. His interests range from jazz piano to rock, pop, and alternative music. Also in the trio on You Decide are his brother, drummer Bill Tesar, who has worked with Angela Bofill and Dave Douglas, and bassist Kermit Driscoll, known for his long association with Bill Frisell.
This 2006 recording includes ten Rave Tesar originals. He has a gift for both melody and creative interpretation and his music will leave you wondering why the term "Easy Listening" is restricted to too-sweet string music. From the opening "Scale Song," where the trio does wonderful things with "do-re-mi,"you will be impressed with his light touch, harmonic sensibility, and the recording quality that places you right there in the studio. There's variety: The wistful "Minor Mode" and the down-home blues, "Nobody's at Nobody's," contrast with the danceable, light-hearted "Everyone But Me" and "Have Some More" - with its drum solo and trades. "Minas" is Latin-tinged and intricate while "Someone Else's Spell" is a solemn ballad with a beautiful solo by Driscoll. Driscoll is front and center again in the intense "The Vision." "Helium" exhibits both lightness and high energy. The title chart, "You Decide" is a particularly impressive track. From the percussive opening to the last barely-sounded piano note, the trio guides the listener through a complex mystery tour.
It takes more than three players to make a trio. It also requires empathy. There's plenty of that necessary ingredient in this outstanding release.
Tracks: The Scale Song, Minor Mood, Have Some More, You Decide, The Vision, Everyone But Me, Nobody's At Nobody's, Someone Else's Spell, Minas, Helium.
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