Swept Away by Mary Ann McSweeney

04 Apr

Written by Michael Laprarie
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"Swept Away" is bassist Mary Ann McSweeney's second CD outing with her present band, which includes husband Mike Fahn on trombone, Donny McCaslin on reeds, Henry Hey on piano, and Tim Horner on drums. She is a prodigious bassist with steady technique, interesting musical ideas, and an impressive resume that includes stints with most of the mainstream jazz greats of the last twenty years.

The band achieves a distinctly modern sound under Mc Sweeney's leadership, and her original compositions account for seven of the eight pieces performed on this CD. The band is also aided by the inclusion of guitarist John Hart on two tunes, bringing an unusual Metheny-tinged edge to his sound. The CD also features contributions from multi-instrumentalist Nana Simopoulos on sitar and tanpura. These Indian instruments are used prominently on "Atjeada" and "Siva's Moon Dance" and lend a definite mystical quality to the playing of the band.

High points in the album include "From The Other Side", featuring Donny McCaslin's modern tenor sax, and "Swept Away", the title track and McSweeney's tribute to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a lovely Latin ballad sung my McSweeney's close friend, vocalist Kate McGarry. The lone standard on the CD, Gershwin's "Soon", gets an enjoyable contemporary treatment thanks to a McSweeney arrangement that highlights Mike Fahn's trombone.

Fans of the contemporary New York jazz scene will find this to be an enjoyable CD, propelled by creative arrangements, diverse influences, and inspired soloing.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Mary Ann McSweeney
CD Title: Swept Away
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Sparky1 Productions
Tracks: Journey To The Center, Atheada, Siva’s Moon Dance, From The Other Side, Notturno, The Burner, Swept Away, Soon
Musicians: Mary Ann McSweeney (bass); Donny McCaslin (tenor & soprano saxophone); Mike Fahn (trombone); Henry Hey (piano); John Hart (guitar); Tim Horner, Mike Hyman (drums); Kate McGarry (vocals); Nana Simopoulos (sitar, tanpura)
Label Website: -
Rating: Three Stars