Treat Me Gently
The Age
Thursday December 4, 2008
Treat Me Gently
Dale Barlow/George Coleman/Mark Fitzgibbon/Sam Anning(Jazzhead) 4/5FIRST off, the George Coleman on this album is not the tenor player who worked with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Chet Baker. It's his son, a drummer and the only American who joins the three Australian jazz men here. His speed and power come to the fore on the last track, End Of A Love Affair. Still, his father's influence is strong, starting with the first track, Amsterdam After Dark, written by Coleman senior and featuring Barlow's tenor sax soaring over the catchy groove of Fitzgibbon's piano and Anning's bass. Fitzgibbon's solo here, full of light and fire, transforms the piece, and Barlow's attack hits the beat and makes it swing hard, but what really holds this particular track together is the work of Anning and Coleman. Anning's power is particularly evident on Glasshouse and on the gorgeous version of the standard You Go To My Head where his solo over Coleman's brushwork leaves the listener hanging suspended. Barlow's solo is true to the melody, shading it in so many new colours, and Fitzgibbon's solo at the end is particularly engaging, thanks to that halting and carefully placed phrasing. Barlow's sound, as always, is full-on and powerful. This album is addictive, you keep going back to it over and over again. -- LEON GETTLER
© 2008 The Age
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