Every time I hear them, I'm blown away by the brilliance of Seattle's New Stories.
New Stories is the most esteemed piano trio in the unusually fertile Seattle jazz scene, equally prized for performances in their own name and for those many times when they serve as a rhythm section backing visiting stars. And often the big names come back for more. "Circled by Hounds" features the trio at its best, exploring the many different stylings that make up the performers' character (a mambo "Body & Soul," "Stella By Starlight" in 5/4) yet tying it together with a great musical cohesiveness.
1. The Gingi 5:32 - Seales
2. Stella by Starlight 7:31 - Young/Washington
3. Lighten Up 7:19 - Miller
4. Dave 4:48 - Seales
5. The Thumb/Bluesology 5:57 - Montgomery/Jackson
6. Circled By Hounds 4:43 - Bishop
7. Wholly Here, Holy Hear 4:51 - Miller
8. Body & Soul 8:12 - Green
9. Before Dawn 5:51 - Miller
10. New Stories 7:54 - Seales
New Stories:
Marc Seales - piano
Doug Miller - bass
John Bishop - drums
Produced by New Stories
Recorded April 25-27, 1994 at Infinity Productions, Seattle, WA
Engineered by Bob Meador
Mixed & Mastered by Glenn Lorbiecki at the Music Source, Seattle, WA
Artwork by Todd Bishop
Cover Design & Layout by John Bishop
All Music Guide (Dave Nathan)
Originally released in 1994 and reissued on the Origin label, this is New Stories' initial foray into the studio. In addition to being a fine session in and of itself, it also served as a harbinger of what was to come for this Seattle-based group. There was a Grammy-nominated album with Mark Murphy, sessions with top sax players, including Don Lanp ...