Viv Rodd / Alan Thompson
Dialogue
© 2003 Tolcjazz1
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A selection of choice standards and modern jazz themes, with liner notes written by UK jazz guitar great Jim Mullen
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LINER NOTES BY JIM MULLEN:
I was delighted when asked to write the liner notes for this CD by two of the West Country's finest jazz musicians whom I have known for many years
THE PLAYERS
Originally from North Derbyshire before relocating to Cornwall, guitarist Alan Thompson combines a playing career with Landlord duties at the Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn, where the live tracks on "Dialogue" were recorded. I first heard Alan in the fine quartet of Penzance tenor saxist John Cox. Alan impressed me on that and many subsequent occasions and I marked a name to watch. His subtle playing grabs the ear in these fresh settings for standards, classics and one original.
Which brings me to the dazzling keyboard artistry of Viv Rodd. As 21 year olds, Viv and I met while playing on the liner Queen Mary, Southampton to New York route. For young musicians New York was the Mecca of jazz and Viv took me on a guided tour of legendary clubs like The Five Spot, The Half Note and Embers West. Viv, brimming with confidence, had sat in with the groups of Charles Mingus and Roy Eldridge. Regular trips on the Queen Mary helped
sharpen his skills alongside New York's best. Viv was, quite simply, an inspiration.
Now fast forward 35 years. I'm doing a guest spot at Plymouth's Jazz Cafe and the pianist on the gig is - Viv Rodd! We had a wonderful reunion and it was great to hear an old mate still swinging hard.
THE MUSIC
The "Dialogue" is an exciting two-way conversation where both players spur each other into breathtaking performances that echo the collaborations of Bill Evans and Jim Hall
From the relaxed swing of the opener "Chesapeake Blues" through Jim Hall's quirky "Careful" and into Charles Mingus' haunting elegy to Lester Young, Viv and Alan dovetail beautifully, never dominating but always supporting each other. Next up is my favourite, a stunning account of "All Across the City", the second Jim Hall tune of this set. Alan salutes his fellow frettist in this cool but exciting performance.
A series of four bar exchanges, where the instruments chase each other, highlights Hancock's classic "Dolphin Dance", while Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring" gets a fresh, swinging interpretation (Alan quotes "If I Only Had a Brain" from "The Wizard of Oz" on the Coda). Viv's beautiful original "Green in Blue" is a moving homage to Bill Evans with fine solos all round.
"Stella by Starlight" is a roller coaster ride where melody and solos are tossed between guitar and piano all the way through. Alan's solo guitar introduces "A Child is Born" before handing over to Viv for his thoughtful musical account of fatherhood. The set closer "My Funny Valentine" is a medium fast swinger featuring Viv before Alan takes over to "bring it on home".
A word too, about the great recording quality, where both instruments sound fat and clean. I thoroughly recommend this CD which gives a whole new angle to the term "West Coast Jazz".
- Jim Mullen, September 2003.
ALAN THOMPSON - JAZZ GUITARIST
A jazz guitarist of over 20 years experience, established on the local jazz scene with veteran players such as John Cox, Goudie Charles, Viv Rodd, Don Riddell and many guest appearances with other local bands, he has worked as a guitar tutor privately, for Cornwall Music Service and with Truro College's Jazz Degree program. He established Penzance Jazz Club with band mate John Cox and has played with many top British jazz musicians such as Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, Alan Skidmore, Peter King, Dick Pearce, Mornington Lockett, Tim Whitehead, Pete Jacobson, Harry Beckett, Danny Moss, Don Rendell, Don Weller, Henry Lowther, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Alan Barnes, Matt Waites and Theo Travis. More recently focusing on solo and duet performances in his own pub, The Tolcarne Inn, and recording his debut CD "Dialogue" with the West Country's finest jazz pianist Viv Rodd.
VIV RODD - JAZZ PIANIST
Born in South-West of England. Studied Piano and Trombone from the age of 12 and went on to complete final Royal School of Music Piano and Theory exams in 1973. Turned down 3-yr. classical scholarship in favour of performing on the Cunard Liner R.M.S. Queen Mary gaining access to the New-York Jazz scene. Over a period of 2 years this transatlantic journey brought many rewards with tuition and sitting in with some of the Jazz Greats. Both Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins offered Viv the piano chair, but (later to regret) existing contracts got in the way.
1967/87 toured with various combinations in Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.
Worked with countless big names in the world of Jazz and Show business too numerous to mention both as accompanist and bandleader. Written well over 70 original Jazz tunes with many being recorded. Recently gained a teaching degree and for his "sins" teaches on the Exeter B/Mus Jazz Degree. A steady flow of Jazz gigs with different combinations Duo, Trio, Quartet, and Quintet certainly makes life very interesting.
Recordings up to date include
1977 The Viv Rodd Jazz Orchestra.
1989 Jazz at the Smugglers.
1990 Jazz at the Smugglers (revisited)
2000 Maiden Voyage.
2003 Dialogue.
2003/4 Confusion (in progress).
Review by Les Tomkins for The Jazz Rag, Spring 2004:
VIV RODD / ALAN THOMPSON
Dialogue
Tolcjazz 1 (47:56) Recorded guitar/piano duos are comparatively rare. Three classic examples come to
mind, all produced in America. This one, made in Cornwall, reaches the same high standard. Here are
two consummate musicians who solve with ease any harmonic problems that there could be. The opening Chesapeake Blues sets out their wares. Viv Rodd is heard first on electric piano, using a register that, when combined with Alan Thompson's sound, creates a two-guitar illusion. He then achieves a mix with acoustic piano that incorporates a bass effect. On six of the remaining nine tracks he restricts himself advantageously to the full Steinway power. Guitarist Thompson comes on initially with some Wes-like octaves, but later displays an adherence to Jim Hall's work in two of the latter's compositions.
The two prove an ideal partnership, commenting and backing up propulsively or sympathetically behind each other's inventive statements. Dolphin Dance has an inspired two minutes of four-bar exchanges between them. On his own beautifully languorous original. Green In Blue, Rodd generously gives majority space to some erudite Thompson exploration, although he puts in some rippling romanticism himself. The two standard songs included, Stella By Starlight and My Funny Valentine, are transformed hearteningly by up-tempo treatments.
As notewriter Jim Mullen says, these are "breathtaking performances". Like him, I thoroughly recommend this CD. It can be obtained direct from Alan Thompson at The Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn, Cornwall, of which he is the landlord, and where this fine jazz was taped.
LES TOMKINS
REVIEW BY GOUDIE CHARLES:
Viv Rodd, the Hayle bom-and-bred pianist, Composer and arranger, is arguably the finest jazz musician ever produced by the county of Cornwall, and during his long and distinguished career he has played with many jazz greats, American as well as British. Happily, after many
years away he is very much back in residence in the Duchy and making frequent public appearances in West Cornwall. About once a month he appears at the Tolcame Inn, Newlyn,
in a duo with the gifted guitarist Alan Thompson, who is also the Tolcarne's landlord. "Dialogue" is a CD featuring Viv and Alan, and is a superb example of the musicianship
and interplay of these two extremely talented musicians. The varied and interesting programme includes standards such as "My Funny Valentine" and "Stella by Starlight", as well
as such jazz tunes as Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" and Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Porkpie Hat, and a lovely, moody Viv Rodd original "Green in Blue", dedicated to pianist
Bill Evans. Playing without drums and bass can sometimes be a risk, but Viv and Alan turn it to their advantage by their brilliant use of the extra space and flexibility provided.
Forget the local scene, this is an excellent jazz CD by any standards, and the fact the great jazz guitarist Jim Mullen provides the sleeve note speaks volumes for the high esteem
in which Viv and Alan are held on the jazz scene. Very highly recommended.
Goudie Charles
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Ain't heard it yet but have heard them both at the S&G and luv em
author: tiger@falmusic.co.ukWhen Alan gives me a revu copy at the S&G I shall be happy to post my musings on falmusic. Suffice to say, Viv occasionally deps at the S&G for the fabulous Max T, whom he mentored on the Jazz Degree Course in Truro, where Max and John Fry (Manouche link) graduated cum laude last year. Alan's there monthly - we've got some good downloads of him (sadly, none of Viv as yet!) as well as the whole fabulous gig last Monday. Larry Stabbins (tnr), Crissy Lee (dms) and Kellie Santin (alto). check it!! PS, the regular drummer At the S&G is Terry Rodd (bro) & Liam Rodd (son) sometimes deps for his unc.