Elmo Hope was a contemporary of
Bud Powell and
Thelonious Monk. He only lived to be 43 and never achieved much fame or fortune, but he was a talented bop pianist and composer with a style of his own.
New Stories, a trio consisting of pianist
Marc Seales, bassist
Doug Miller, and drummer
John Bishop, revives 11 of
Hope's better songs on this CD, including "Dee-Dah," the moody "Stars Over Marrakech," and "Carving the Rock." Although their playing is a bit more modern than
Hope's trios,
New Stories does a fine job of bringing back his musical spirit and putting life into the forgotten songs. There are a few changes in personnel that add variety to the outing. Altoist
Bobby Porcelli guests with the trio on four numbers. "This Sweet Sorrow," which was originally known as the instrumental "Barfly," has been given words by the talented singer
Roberta Gambarini, who is accompanied by pianist
Ronnie Mathews, bassist
Peter Washington, and drummer
Kenny Washington.
Bertha Hope,
Elmo's widow, plays piano with
Miller and
Bishop on "Low Tide." And to close the date, she performs a pair of duets ("Monique" and "Three Silver Quarters") with trumpeter
Don Sickler. Musicians will find several numbers on this set that are well worth exploring. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow