Ted Piltzecker: Standing Alone (2002)

Mark Corroto

Senior Contributor since 1999

Mark misses his large dog Louie, but endeavors daily to find and listen to new and interesting sounds.

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Published: December 1, 2001

Like solo piano sessions, solo vibraphone recordings are extremely personal, solitary events. They tend to relate to their listeners on an individual basis. Vibes-man Ted Piltzecker a member of George Shearing’s quintet releases this solo session as a follow up to his 1996 excellent quintet date Unicycle Man with Bob Mintzer, James Williams and Harvie Swartz.

By choosing mostly jazz standards, Piltzecker begins halfway inside the listeners comfort zone. He takes you the rest of the way by his quiet elegance. Standing Alone reminds one of the late John Lewis’ final Evolution recordings. Piltzecker doesn’t thrill you with pyrotechnics; he relies on a well-placed note. Covering John Coltrane’s “Naima,” Rodgers and Hart’s “My Romance,” and Ellington’s “In A Sentimental Mood” appeals to Piltzecker’s modest approach to jazz’s passionate history. He fills the 43-minutes with expressive grace, maintaining interest throughout. He can sound like he’s ringing leaded crystal “In Your Own Sweet Way” or he can reproduce the feel of a piano. Piltzecker applies both a single and a four-mallet approach with a fluid delivery and an insider’s hipness. Highly recommended.

Track Listing: My Romance; My One And Only Love; In Your Own Sweet Way; In A Sentimental Mood; Trieste; God Bless The Child; Body And Soul; Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans; Blue In Green; Invitation; Like Someone In Love; Naima; La Malange.

Personnel: Ted Piltzecker

Record Label: Equilibrium
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream