Big Screen - Take One - Curtain Up!

When pianist David Newton joined forces with contemporary bassist Tom Farmer (a member of jazz group Empirical) and virtuoso drummer Matt Skelton for BIG SCREEN - TAKE ONE (Linn AKD 504) their combined sense of improvised swing mixed with passion and enjoyment obviously shine through nine big and small screen songs and themes. BEWITCHED from television's once popular series is their opening shot and they move through CHARIOTS OF FIRE, THE HEATHER ON THE HILL and OLD MAN RIVER with differing rhythms and emotional depths and the latter quality particularly true of WHEN SOMEBODY LOVED ME penned by Randy Newman for Disney's TOY STORY 2. Three songs from MY FAIR LADY are a reminder this show's score has proven to be a favourite choice of many jazz luminaries like Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn in the past so ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE, WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY and GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME must have been seen as perceived winners for their approach and style and indeed enjoy another go-around to great overall effect.