Paul Bley
Solo Piano
Justin Time Records
By George W. Harris

Someone once asked singer Don Henley what the difference was between
mellow and boring. "About a million bucks," he wisely replied. Pianist
Paul Bley teeters between the two categories on this disc comprised to
to songs. The first, the 33 minute title piece, meanders with pensive
stylings and ruminations in a way that not the most attention
grabbling. Ketih Jarrett's "Koln Concert" it was not. The 10 minute
reading of Sonny Rollins' "Pent Up House" was a tensile delight. He was
able to treat the melody with inquisitive respect, and deliver it in a
dynamic that explored the tunes delicacy with playfulness. Maybe do an
entire Newk songbook next time, and win me over.