Album Notes

This new re-issue of Dick Hindman and his trio on the 1995 CD ONCE I LOVED features several changes. First, the piano solo introductions for "The Man I Love" and "Cry Me A River", which were deleted on the original recording, have been restored on this new CD. In addition,there is a bonus track of Cole Porter's "I Love You." Finally, the entire project has been digitally remastered by the original mastering engineer, Paul Stubblebine. The result is a CD which jazz piano trio aficionados will find well worth owning.

Hindman is joined on the record by Seward McCain on bass and the late Scott Morris on drums. There is a feeling of intimacy and confidence here, rare in jazz today, born of years of playing together. The result is a relaxed groove which frequently erupts into explosively jubilant playing from all three musicians.

Featured are three originals from Dick Hindman — the rollicking PAULO with its ebullient Latin feel, a thoughtful ballad entitled SECRET GARDEN, and the country/jazz amalgam of BIRD DOG BLUES. Herbie Hancock's DOLPHIN DANCE makes a strong appearance too, as well as John Carisi's ISRAEL (long associated with pianist Bill Evans). Hindman's love of Brazilian music is represented here with the luscious and languid ONCE I LOVED, the title song of the CD. The rest of the tunes are standards from the great American Songbook, including a particularly poignant reading of HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN and a down-home, nostalgic piano solo version of THE TENNESSEE WALTZ.

The recording concludes joyously with an up-tempo rendition of I LOVE YOU, heightened by a drum solo from Scott Morris. This is a very satisfying outing by all three musicians.