In the liner notes, listeners are encouraged to "enjoy the music." Well, I did my best - and apparently that was enough. I ended up enjoying most of the songs on George Colligan's new CD, Runaway. Even though it felt as if I was on hold for well over an hour, there were some good moments.
Colligan has been playing since his teens, first the drums then the piano. He's been the sideman for a number of artists. He's also a band leader and a composer and is very nimble with piano or Fender Rhodes or whatever else he plays. This record finds him playing with bassist John Ginsburg, drummer Enoch Jamal Strickland and features guitarist Tom Guarna.
Strengths: A recognizable refrain. In other words, some songs can be recognized right away. For example, "The Righteous" has a cursedly memorable refrain - and also has a cursedly 70s timbre. That's not surprising, as Colligan admits to 'liking the sounds of Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea records from the seventies.' Whether you agree with his taste regarding that decade or not, this song is oddly groovy. It features Colligan playing a Fender Rhodes piano, which gives it and "When I Go," "Be Gentle," and "Forlorning" a decisively polyester electricity. Of course, Guarna's guitar also plays an important part in evoking that era and style on some of those tracks.
"R U Things the All" is an interpretation of the standard "All the Things You Are." I've heard a couple of other versions of the song and agree that Colligan's is a unique take. The bass is emphasized and, again, it is recognizable right off.
However, my favorite track would have to be "Waltz For All the Things We Meant To Do And Never Did." Besides having a cool title that we can all easily identify with, it's a sad, speakeasy song that engenders visions of Bogart and whiskey sours. I just love my melancholy songs. This track is just plain piano, bass and quiet drums - nothing special or spectacular, just solid song writing. As the bass walks through the raindrops of piano, you just want to sit and think. And drink, of course.
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