Ron Paley - The More You Know (2018) [Hi-Res]

Exuberant and exciting is the Big Round Records debut of big band pianist and composer Ron Paley. This is not just another pops album. Paleys work is cool, clever, and ridiculously fun. Seven of the ten tracks on The More You Know are completely composed, arranged, and performed by Ron Paley. Theme is energetic, exploring elements of upbeat jazz and classic boogie woogie. Fast-paced, too, is U of M where the artist/composer delves into the genres of gospel and rock as wellsurprising the listener at the end with his impressive talent for percussing vocally. A Beautiful Soul, and P&Q are exquisite jazz ballads that are par with the perfection of those Weill, Porter, or Gershwin. This is demonstrated, too, in Paleys Ballad Trilogy. Listen to the Sound, explores the rhythmic character inherent in Latin dance genres. The title track, The More You Know, is fresh and improvisatory. Paleys mash-up arrangement of Dietz and Schwartzs Alone Together an Orbisons Pretty Woman, is the most experimental track on the album and demonstrates Paleys gift for transforming the expected into something altogether new. Paleys arrangement of Tchaikovskys Waltz of the Flowers, is a lounge treat, unlike any other interpretation of the favorited Nutcracker tune. Paley brings the same sort of originality to his fabulous arrangement of Chopins Prelude in C-Minor, which concludes this treasure of a recording.