Vichy Trio
Rag Bag comp. Dave Grusin
Young and Fine comp. Joe Zawinul
So Tender comp. Keith Jarret
Liberty City comp. Jaco Pastorius
Eternal Child comp. Chick Corea
Still Grazy after all these years comp. Paul Simon
Your Smiling Face comp. James Taylor
Stuff it..in there comp. Iiro Rantala
Das Handtuch comp. Iiro Rantala
Celia comp. Bud Powell
Another Ragtime comp. Iiro Rantala
Lotta comp. Iiro Rantala
Bruno/ Topi comp. Iiro Rantala
Bohemian Rhapsody: Freddie Mercury
Vichy Trio Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZlbrsOFXrjx7EgZFbe4Mh?si=eea5644148564f71
Dave Grusin, Rag Bag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMcxaL_f2bg
Chick Corea Electric Band: Eternal Child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eglXtgmlnCg
Dave Grusin has probably given only one concert in Finland, at Pori Jazz. He hails from Colorado. Grusin abandoned so-called traditional jazz at a young age, moved to Los Angeles and became a TV/film composer. His music can be heard, for example, in the TV series Columbo. Grusin's best-known film scores are On Golden Pond, Heaven Can Wait, Tootsie and St. Elsewhere. Through the decades Grusin has recorded his own instrumental music, which can justifiably be called fusion jazz. He also founded the renowned GRP record label in LA
”Rag Bag” is one of Grusin's finest compositions. On the original version (YouTube link) the drums are played by Harvey Mason and the bass by a young Marcus Miller. The stunning guitar solo is played by Jeff Mironov
”Young and Fine” is found on Weather Report's 8th album and is a wonderfully versatile melody by Joe Zawinul. Guest star on drums: Steve Gadd!
Keith Jarrett founded a trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette in 1983 and stunned everyone by recording jazz standards. This trio toured diligently until Gary Peacock's death in 2020. Twenty albums were released.
”So Tender” is found on the Standards Vol. 2 album and is an interesting exception on the record: Jarrett's own composition. An extremely beautiful melody, in A major – a key used extremely rarely in jazz.
In ”Liberty City”, Jaco Pastorius's recognisable sound pushes through beautifully. Jaco's sound is a wondrous stew whose
ingredients are: calypso, American marching band music, jazz, funk and the ”Florida sound”, whatever that may mean. But there they are. Toots Thielemans on harmonica and Herbie Hancock on piano colour this big band piece wonderfully.
”Eternal Child” is clear proof that Chick Corea knew classical music like the back of his hand. J.S. Bach and W.A. Mozart are strongly present in this composition. A simple yet harmonically very rich melody cascades naturally first from top to bottom, back up and down again. Genius!
”Still Crazy After All These Years” appeared as early as 1975 on Paul Simon's album of the same name, which also includes another classic, ”50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”. It could be called a jazz waltz. Simon offers a real surprise by jumping in the bridge from G major into A major landscapes.
”Your Smiling Face” is such a good-humoured pop song by James Taylor that it simply had to be included in the programme. On the Live at the Beacon Theatre track, the swinging piano riff is played by Don Grolnick and the drums by Carlos Vega – this was one of his last gigs.
”Stuff It...In There” is a tribute to the band Stuff, whose members included pianist Richard Tee and drummer Steve Gadd. It felt right to plant a few Stuff tracks on the Vichy Trio playlist so that You too can enjoy their unique groove.
”Das Handtuch” is a composition based on a Bo Diddley rhythm, in which the leading role is stolen by a terry towel stuffed inside the grand piano.
”Celia” is originally a bebop composition by Bud Powell. The Vichy Trio's version leans more on the exceptionally wonderful duo take by Kenny Kirkland and Don Alias, which can be found on the playlist.
”Time for Rag” is a crisp minor-key ragtime whose middle section drew its inspiration from Benny Goodman's splendid ”Sing Sing Sing”.
”Lotta” is a new ballad, dedicated to my wife. With this move I'll avoid dishwashing duty for at least a year.
”Bruno” and ”Topi” are musical portraits of our sons.