Pamela Hines Trio: 3.2.1. (2013)

Dan McClenaghan

Senior Contributor since 2002

A lover of sounds, and the way they fit together.

Recent articles (793 total)

Published: January 28, 2013

Pianist Pamela Hines has been busy on the jazz scene for fifteen years, producing many excellent CDs featuring her quartets and quintets, as well as pairings with several top-notch vocalists. A first-rate composer of engaging and memorable tunes who put out one of the coolest Christmas albums, New Christmas (Spice Rack, 2008), she should be better known. 3.2.1, a superb, mostly trio affair, might just push her profile closer to where it belongs.

Most of Hines' recordings, including New Christmas, have relied heavily on her own compositions. 3.2.1. takes a different tack, leaning on standards with an emphasis on material by pianist Bill Evans, starting right off with his "34 Skiddoo." Here, however, Hines and trio mates David Clark (bass) and Yoron Israel (drums) sound feistier—happier, even—than the normally introspective Evans.

On "B Minor Waltz," the trio cools things off a bit, showcasing Hines' exquisite touch and Israel's supple brush work, but the bounce in the trio's step is still there, riding Clark's warm heartbeat. The classic "East of the Sun" takes things out on the edge, an up-tempo high-wire roll, with Hines sounding particularly caffeinated.

The album title refers to its music being presented with the trio on seven tunes, a duo on one and solo on another. The old American Songbook chestnut, "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," is laid down as a piano solo rumination, its sweet reverence suggesting, perhaps, that a future CD-length solo excursion might be in order for Hines.

Track Listing: 34 Skidoo: B Minor Waltz; Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most; East of the Sun; Loose Blues; Sangre Joven; If You Could See Me Now; Loose Blues (alt. take); I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry.

Personnel: Pamela Hines: piano; Yoron Israel: drums; David Clark: bass.

Record Label: Spice Rack Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream