Red Mitchell Trio TALKING   Jazz CD

One of the late Red Mitchell's last recordings as a leader, this trio date finds him in stellar company, with pianist Kenny Barron and drummer Ben Riley. Mitchell and Barron long enjoyed a rather unique musical chemistry, and they don't disappoint here.

The album opens with the title track, a slightly Latinish Mitchell original. The simple felicity of the melody -- and, in particular, of Barron's elaborations on it -- makes this track a simple but rich delight. Mitchell takes the lead on "I'm Old Fashioned," playing the head in a singing, legato style as Barron and Riley fall in gradually behind him. Elsewhere, there are equally fine versions of Barron's "El Sueno" and the standard "She's Funny That Way," as well as another exceptional Mitchell original, "Heaven's Here." The trio's version of Thelonious Monk's "Locomotive" ends the album on a surprisingly tame note, but this disc is a solid winner overall. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

The trio with Red Mitchell-bs, Kenny Baron-pno, Ben Riley-dms.

Recording information: Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (01/10/1989/01/11/1989); Rudy Van Gelder Studios. Englewood Cliffs, NJ (01/10/1989/01/11/1989).

Photographer: Thomas C. Burns.

Personnel: Red Mitchell (bass), Kenny Barron (piano), Ben Riley (drums).

Personnel: Kenny Barron (piano); Ben Riley (drums).

	1	Talking with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	2	I'm Old Fashioned with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	3	Purest Heart, The (For Lady) with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	4	Pennies For Sue with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	5	Don't Explain with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	6	Sueno, El with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	7	Er-Um-Uh with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	8	She's Funny That Way  with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	9	Heaven's Here with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley
	10	Locomotive with Ben Riley, Kenny Baron, Red Mitchell, Red Mitchell With Kenny Baron And Ben Riley