Larry Goldings Unveils Piano Trio Album, I Will

The album was recorded over two nights at Sam First, an intimate listening room near LAX Airport in Los Angeles. Joining Goldings on this endeavor are Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Christian Euman on drums, both highly regarded rhythm section players in the Los Angeles music scene.

“I Will” represents Goldings’ first live piano trio album in his three-decade-long career as a professional musician. The decision to release this album came after Goldings listened to the recordings from the Sam First performances and recognized the quality of the material.

The trio’s performance on “I Will” invites comparisons to other notable live piano trio recordings by jazz luminaries such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Fred Hersch, and Brad Mehldau. This album serves not only as a demonstration of Goldings’ pianistic abilities but also as a personal reckoning with his identity as a pianist.

Goldings’ previous piano trio album, “Awareness,” was released 27 years ago and featured Larry Grenadier on bass and Paul Motian on drums. When asked about the evolution of his piano playing since then, Goldings noted, “I’m less worried about fitting into somebody’s expectation of how a piano trio should sound, or what a piano player should be able to do. The older I get, the more comfortable I feel with my choices.”

The material on “I Will” reflects Goldings’ diverse musical influences and experiences. The album includes original compositions such as “Roach,” an odd-time blues inspired by drummer Max Roach, and “Sing Song,” described as a hero’s-journey storybook piece. Goldings also interprets classics like Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Embraceable You,” as well as Mario Bauzá’s “Mambo Inn” and Judee Sill’s “Jesus Was a Cross Maker.”

The album’s ballads, including Paul McCartney’s “I Will” and “Somewhere” from West Side Story, showcase Goldings’ ability to manipulate time and create introspective musical landscapes. These performances reflect the influence of musicians like Jim Hall, whom Goldings credits for demonstrating the power of sparse, thoughtful playing.

Goldings’ approach to this album is informed by his extensive experience in various musical settings, including his work with James Taylor and Maceo Parker. These experiences have broadened his musical perspective and influenced his desire to connect with audiences in new ways.

The vinyl release of “I Will” has been given special attention to ensure the highest audio quality. The album was mastered by renowned engineer Bernie Grundman, known for his work on countless classic and audiophile recordings. Grundman’s expertise in vinyl mastering is particularly noteworthy, as he has been at the forefront of the medium since the 1960s.

Bernie Grundman’s involvement in this project adds significant value for audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts. His mastering techniques are known for preserving the dynamic range and tonal balance of recordings, which is crucial for capturing the nuances of a live jazz performance. Grundman’s approach to vinyl mastering often involves using specialized equipment, including custom-built consoles and modified cutting lathes, to achieve optimal results.

The decision to press “I Will” on 180-gram vinyl further emphasizes the commitment to audio quality. Heavier vinyl is often associated with improved stability during playback and potentially better sound reproduction, although this remains a topic of debate among audio experts.

In an unusual move for a jazz release, “I Will” will be streaming exclusively on Qobuz, a French music streaming and download platform known for its high-quality audio offerings. This exclusivity aligns with the album’s focus on audio fidelity and may appeal to listeners who prioritize sound quality in their music consumption.

The choice to stream exclusively on Qobuz presents both opportunities and challenges. Qobuz is known for paying artists higher rates per stream compared to other platforms, which could potentially benefit Goldings financially. According to recent data, Qobuz pays approximately $0.0136 per stream, which is significantly higher than rates offered by larger streaming services.

Additionally, Qobuz caters to a niche audience of audiophiles and serious music enthusiasts. This aligns well with the target demographic for a high-quality jazz recording like “I Will.” The platform’s focus on lossless and high-resolution audio formats ensures that listeners can experience the full dynamic range and tonal qualities of the recording, as intended by the artists and engineers.

However, the decision to stream exclusively on Qobuz may limit the album’s reach compared to wider distribution on multiple platforms. This trade-off between potential audience size and audio quality reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize the listening experience over maximizing streaming numbers.

The vinyl edition of “I Will” is limited to 1,000 copies, each individually numbered with foil stamping. The packaging includes static-free audiophile rice paper sleeves and a thick 24-point stock jacket featuring a full-bleed print of the cover photo taken by Sam First Records owner Paul Solomon.

This release represents a significant moment in Larry Goldings’ career, showcasing his versatility as a musician and his commitment to high-quality audio reproduction. By combining a live piano trio performance with audiophile-grade production and distribution, “I Will” aims to provide listeners with an exceptional musical experience, both in terms of performance and sound quality.

Track Listing:
1. Roach | 2. It Ain’t Necessarily So | 3. I Will | 4. Mambo Inn | 5. Embraceable You | 6. Jesus Was A Cross Maker | 7. Somewhere* | 8. Sing Song*
* only appears on digital release.

Line-Up:
Larry Goldings (piano) | Karl McComas-Reichl (bass) | Christian Euman (drums)

Release Date 14 Feb 2025
Format: LP | Digital
Label: Sam First Records

from https://jazzineurope.mfmmedia.nl