reviews

"STORIES" CD

Richard B. Kamins from Cadence Magazine said it best in his March 1995 Edition review… "It's been a year of impressive debuts for young pianists, what with strong discs from Cyrus Chestnut, Bill Charlap, and the excellent import discs from Jacky Terrasson". Add to this list the new disc from Australian Bill Risby. Self-produced (with the aid of engineer Jeremy Mawer) and featuring eight original compositions among ten cuts, "Stories" has a lot to recommend it.

With a title like "When Photogen Met Nyceteris", one might not know what to expect. Instead of a botany lesson, what we hear is a soft samba rhythm and spacious piano lines. Risby is not an acrobatic pianist - his lines are long and tend to build to slow resolves. The rhythm section is totally supportive and not intrusive. Bassist Craig Scott has a softer tone and less aggressive drive than other players, more like Charlie Haden. Drummer Simon Barker also does not overplay; instead he acts as both a cushion beneath the piano and as a springboard for the improvisations. His cymbal work on "Take Notes" is impressive while his subtle prodding adds tension to the modal musings of "Lilith". Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround" has a bluesy, after-hours feel along with bouncy walking bass lines. Risby builds the tension by moving his piano lines away from, then back to, the melody. "The Strong One" features alto saxophonist Paul Mason and is a lovely ballad, reminiscent of the work Jan Garbarek did with Keith Jarrett but in a much more formal setting. A solo reading of "The Way You Look Tonight" closes the program. Risby does a stately reading of the melody, as if he was caressing the words while sitting alone in his study. The other solo track, "Nikki", moves gently from a contemplative mood into a long, gospel section in which he sets the mood with rumbling bass lines and dancing melody lines.

This music has a sensuous feel, insinuating its way into your mind. Risby will not immediately overwhelm the listener with his technical facility but one will be pleased by his unerring sense of melody. Nothing is rushed in these songs; melodies are built carefully and soloists have plenty of room to make coherent statements. Yet the disc does not feel long because the pianist draws the listener into the music, piques one's curiosity as to where the music will go. On subsequent listenings, one picks up the shadings of the notes and how well Risby enunciates his lines. He has come a long way in developing his own voice and Bill Risby's "Stories" are quite entrancing. Recommended."