Guitarist
Pete McCann is sometimes compared to both
John Scofield and
Pat Metheny, and you'll hear more than a shade of the latter in his buttery tone and lush use of reverb on several of this album's tracks. But on
McCann's sophomore effort there's also quite a bit of
Bill Frisell in his approach to melody -- listen to the slow-footed "Knew Blues" and the ringing open chords and skewed phrasing on "You Remind Me of Someone." On "Ornery," a brilliant tribute to free jazz pioneer
Ornette Coleman,
McCann pays homage not just to
Coleman's notorious disregard for the chord progression during solos, but also to the man's amazing ability to write delightful, sometimes downright hooky melodies.
McCann also chooses his few covers well, delivering a thoughtful rendition of
Cole Porter's "I Love You" and a slightly Latin-tinged interpretation of the
Steve Swallow composition "Falling Grace." He's accompanied energetically but sensitively throughout by bassist
John Hebert and drummer Mike Sarin. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson