Beguiling Beginnings
author: Sean Rixon
When the Penny Merchants, an Toronto-based gospel/rock outfit helmed
by Mike Janzen, decided to call it a day in 2005, it was only a matter of
time before Janzen - a versatile and affable musician/composer who
is one of Hogtown's best-kept secrets - released a jazz album. After
all, he had won considerable acclaim for the beguiling improvisational
flourishes he made as a longtime pianist/keyboardist in Steve Bell's
touring band.
"Beginnings" was recorded live to highlight the dynamic interplay among
Janzen (on piano and rhodes), bassist George Koeller and drummer Ben
Riley (although on three of the tracks, Andrew Downing and Frank Botos
stand in for Koeller and Riley). The album features notable originals
by Janzen such as the alternately funky-and-pensive "Squint Blues"
and the laid-back "Funky Roads", as well as covers of classic spirituals
("I Have Decided" and "Ride On King Jesus"), jazz standards ("Honeysuckle
Rose" and "Beautiful Love") and movie songs ("If I Were A Rich Man" and
"Over the Rainbow"). It is on many of these covers where Janzen
and company truly shine, for even though they initially provide listeners
with familiar melody-lines, it doesn't take long for the trio to nimbly
segue into adventurous, freewheeling improvisational passages. Not only
does Janzen make quite an impression through these, but so do his fellow
players (for example, Riley's explosive drum workout in "I Have Decided"
is remarkable and Koeller's string bass segment in "If I Were A Rich Man"
is quite humourous.)
Perhaps the only slight drawback to the album is found on three songs -
two of which are a couple more Janzen originals ("Pale" and "Poverty")
- where Janzen's vocal is featured. Although Janzen's singing is
appealing in its everyman, Ben Folds-like quality, it shows up unexpectedly
and therefore produces a somewhat jarring effect in the context of a
mostly instrumental album. But perhaps many iPod users - who decide to
shuffle randomly through these songs, and many others, on the now-ubiquitous
player - won't care all that much anyway.
"Beginnings" ends off memorably with the cover of "Over the Rainbow",
which starts off in a ruminative and moving fashion (bringing to mind
Keith Jarrett), but quickly shifts in and out of bebop territory (and
if this weren't enough to leave you dazzled by Janzen's eclecticism,
listen for the amusing surprise that follows a minute and ten seconds
after "Rainbow"'s conclusion).
All in all, "Beginnings" is an auspicious, even grand debut,
and it leaves this reviewer awaiting Janzen's follow-up works with
great anticipation. Quite a "beginning" indeed.
Read more...
Beguiling Beginnings
author: Sean Rixon
When the Penny Merchants, an Toronto-based gospel/rock outfit helmed
by Mike Janzen, decided to call it a day in 2005, it was only a matter of
time before Janzen - a versatile and affable musician/composer who
is one of Hogtown's best-kept secrets - released a jazz album. After
all, he had won considerable acclaim for the beguiling improvisational
flourishes he made as a longtime pianist/keyboardist in Steve Bell's
touring band.
"Beginnings" was recorded live to highlight the dynamic interplay among
Janzen (on piano and rhodes), bassist George Koeller and drummer Ben
Riley (although on three of the tracks, Andrew Downing and Frank Botos
stand in for Koeller and Riley). The album features notable originals
by Janzen such as the alternately funky-and-pensive "Squint Blues"
and the laid-back "Funky Roads", as well as covers of classic spirituals
("I Have Decided" and "Ride On King Jesus"), jazz standards ("Honeysuckle
Rose" and "Beautiful Love") and movie songs ("If I Were A Rich Man" and
"Over the Rainbow"). It is on many of these covers where Janzen
and company truly shine, for even though they initially provide listeners
with familiar melody-lines, it doesn't take long for the trio to nimbly
segue into adventurous, freewheeling improvisational passages. Not only
does Janzen make quite an impression through these, but so do his fellow
players (for example, Riley's explosive drum workout in "I Have Decided"
is remarkable and Koeller's string bass segment in "If I Were A Rich Man"
is quite humourous.)
Perhaps the only slight drawback to the album is found on three songs -
two of which are a couple more Janzen originals ("Pale" and "Poverty")
- where Janzen's vocal is featured. Although Janzen's singing is
appealing in its everyman, Ben Folds-like quality, it shows up unexpectedly
and therefore produces a somewhat jarring effect in the context of a
mostly instrumental album. But perhaps many iPod users - who decide to
shuffle randomly through these songs, and many others, on the now-ubiquitous
player - won't care all that much anyway.
"Beginnings" ends off memorably with the cover of "Over the Rainbow",
which starts off in a ruminative and moving fashion (bringing to mind
Keith Jarrett), but quickly shifts in and out of bebop territory (and
if this weren't enough to leave you dazzled by Janzen's eclecticism,
listen for the amusing surprise that follows a minute and ten seconds
after "Rainbow"'s conclusion).
All in all, "Beginnings" is an auspicious, even grand debut,
and it leaves this reviewer awaiting Janzen's follow-up works with
great anticipation. Quite a "beginning" indeed.
Read more...
very enjoyable and easy to listen to
author: Leanne Reimer
Amazing CD very impressed with the scope of his talent enjoyed listening and found it very pleasant and relaxing too I am giving several people on my Christmas shopping list this CD for a gift your CD will be staying in my player as I will be listening to it often!
Read more...
very enjoyable and easy to listen to
author: Leanne Reimer
Amazing CD very impressed with the scope of his talent enjoyed listening and found it very pleasant and relaxing too I am giving several people on my Christmas shopping list this CD for a gift your CD will be staying in my player as I will be listening to it often! Hope you will be putting out more CD in the future!
Read more...