The Kristin Korb/Todd Johnson Trio (featuring Kendall Kay) - Get Happy and Frederick Charlton - Bach on Fire

Reviewed by Nippy Cripwell

 

Get Happy: The Kristin Korb/Todd Johnson Trio
(featuring Kendall Kay)

‘Get Happy’, the title of this CD says it all. The immediate reaction on hearing this would be: a really hip, swinging trio burning through a selection of The Great American Song Book tunes, plus a few other originals. But then look at the liner notes. This trio consists of Kristin Korb – Acoustic Bass/ Vocals; Todd Johnson – 6 String Electric Bass; and South Africa’s own Kendall Kay – Drums. Put in this perspective you will appreciate just how dynamic this performance is.
Kristin Korb sings swell AND lays down some serious Bass lines on Acoustic Bass. That’ Hard Stuff! Her lines are strong and melodic; the instrumentals stand out: Just a Closer Walk With Thee, her own Sunshine & Slim and Goin’ Home. I suspect her singing has influenced her approach to her Bass playing; she ‘sings’ her way through the changes as opposed to a more angular harmonic approach. All you young people, listen to how this lady constructs her Bass lines and LEARN!
Todd Johnson has got to be a guitar player. His approach to the 6 String Bass is that middy, chunky chordal way of playing, reminiscent of early Wes Montgomery. He is understated but swings hard. The tone he gets is so refreshing, so different to what one generally hears from the 6 String Bass sound.
For a bright fresh take on ‘Standards’ Bass playing- this is a must.

Bach on Fire: Frederick Charlton

‘Frederick Charlton has compiled a vast ten movement “Suite” of his favourite selections from the famous 3 “Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin” by Johann Sebastian Bach’. This is the culmination of some 30 years work of transcription and performance; a monumental undertaking.
From a Bass playing perspective it is enlightening to hear these Bach compositions performed so ably on the instrument. The technical challenges posed in playing Bach are extreme; difficult interval leaps, complex harmonic progressions, double stopped passages. Intonation is so crucial to clearly distinguish the harmonic movement in Bach. The sound on the Bass must be kept light and nimble to prevent the music from sounding ponderous. It is difficult enough on an instrument tuned in fifths; it is compounded on a Bass (tuned in fourths). Added to this is the physical endurance and concentration required. Some of the movements are long (Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 is 17.30.)! All these challenges emphasise the heights Mr. Charlton’s performance has achieved.
Frederic Charlton is critically acclaimed, and rightly so. Bach’s music is sublime though not always easy listening. Make an effort to listen to ‘Bach on Fire’, the music will open your mind and the Bass playing will open your perception of performance possibilities.