American jazz guitarist Russell Malone made his debut in Jimmy Smith's band in the late 1980s. This was followed by a long-term collaboration with singer Harry Connick Jr. Since 1991 he has occasionally recorded an album under his own name, but he also played very regularly on other albums, such as Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves and Shirley. Horn. Heartstrings is his fifth solo CD and
… the follow-up to the well-received Look Who's Here (2000). The word 'strings' from the title refers to the fact that this time he was accompanied by a string orchestra. Heartstrings is also a song by the vibraphone player Milt Jackson, who died in 1999, to whom the album is dedicated. Besides the string orchestra, Malone has a real all star band around him with Jeff 'Tain' Watts (drums), Christian McBride (bass) and Kenny Barron (piano). Together they have made an atmospheric, romantic album that sounds very accessible. Jazz purists may want to replace the term 'accessible' with 'slick', but this is the music that Malone prefers to make. Production was again in the hands of Tommy LiPuma and the string arrangements came from Johnny Mandel, Dori Caymmi and Alan Broadbent. Two songs that stand out: You Needed Me, which is best known in the performance of country singer Anne Murray, and the closing traditional What A Friend We Have In Jesus. (MvP) _ but this is the music that Malone likes to make the most. Production was again in the hands of Tommy LiPuma and the string arrangements came from Johnny Mandel, Dori Caymmi and Alan Broadbent. Two songs that stand out: You Needed Me, best known in the performance of country singer Anne Murray, and the closing traditional What A Friend We Have In Jesus. (MvP) _ but this is simply the music that Malone loves to make. Production was again in the hands of Tommy LiPuma and the string arrangements came from Johnny Mandel, Dori Caymmi and Alan Broadbent. Two songs that stand out: You Needed Me, best known in the performance of country singer Anne Murray, and the closing traditional What A Friend We Have In Jesus. (MvP) _more