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Houston Person
with Ron Carter
Just Between Friends
HIGHNOTE 7188
★★★ 1 /2
There is probably no one left to recall the sound
of Gene Ammons better than Houston Person.
He might take offense at that, since he’s of the
Texas tenor school, as Ron Carter expounds in
the liners, rather than the Chicago tradition. But
the division is a fine one, not worthy of debate
here. Feeling and tonality are paramount with
Houston, though, like Jug, he can toss off a rippling
run to confirm he isn’t cruising on fumes.
Carter and Person have recorded in this context
several times. The bassist seems to relish
such a duo, as the tenor saxophonist has
anchored timing and a billowing bottom end.
Basic simpatico and listening chops are evident
on the gallantly tentative final note swap of
“How Deep Is The Ocean.” “Blueberry Hill” is
the least likely vehicle, but Carter has fun with it,
spurring with a clipped cowhand clop like
Shelly Manne with Sonny Rollins, walking hard
and playfully bending notes. “Meditation” further
begs the bassist to marshal rhythmic
resources.
Houston curbs the bluesy bombast of his
youth on the resigned “You’ve Changed”; perhaps
this, along with Carter’s reference to Oscar
Pettiford’s “Blues In The Closet,” is a message
to jazz in general: You’ve changed, but we
essentially haven’t.
This session is as much about tight communication
between musicians as driving home lyric
content. Rudy Van Gelder engineered the
album, so play the CD close to your ears and
zone in on Carter’s deft devices and the hand-inglove
interplay. Few risks are taken, yet the context
is a bold gamble and the faultless doubletime
of “Lover Come Back To Me” proves
these golden oldies have still got it.
—Michael Jackson
Just Between Friends: How Deep Is The Ocean; You’ve
Changed; Blueberry Hill; Darn That Dream; Meditation; Lover
Man; Lover Come Back To Me; Polka Dots And Moonbeams;
Always; Alone Together. (53.54)
Personnel: Houston Person, tenor saxophone; Ron Carter, bass.
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Ordering info: jazzdepot.com
86 DOWNBEAT September 2008