Joe Diorio, Steve LaSpina, Steve Bagby - More Than Friends (1994)

Tracklist

01. Just Friends
02. Blues For Jim Hall
03. These Foolish Things
04. The Owl And The Bridge
05. Eclipse
06. Drums Solo
07. Lovely Afternoon
08. The Man I Love
09. O Grande Amor
10. I Love You Too!

Joe Diorio combines adventurous ways with solid mainstream jazz on his fifth album for the Italian label Ram. This recording session took place at the 13th Central Pennsylvania Jazz Festival, where Diorio was reunited with two playing partners, noted bass player Steve LaSpina and drummer Steve Bagby. On the adventurous side is Drums Solo, which for about three minutes features Bagby's imaginative drum wizardry. Three minutes are the outside boundary of these solos before weary repetition sets in. Another out-of-the-ordinary piece is Diorio's The Owl and the Bridge, with stark, sharp lines coming from the guitar over Bagby's flashing drums and cymbals. O Grande Amor better represents the performances this fine CD offers. Diorio states the melody with his clean-lined, non-smeary guitar technique, followed by a quite amazing display of LaSpina's ability to create strong melodic lines on the bass. The two take the last chorus as Diorio restates the melody with LaSpina providing the bottom. Bagby does his rhythm thing with the drums. There are, of course, variations of this approach on other cuts. But this is the basic line followed by the group and it's very listenable. Diorio's paean to one of his major influences, Jim Hall, is a testimonial not only to the guitarist's composing prowess, but the collaborative improvisational instincts shown by each member of the group as they work through this piece. Just Friends is the CD's swinger, again with LaSpina taking honors with his lyrical way with the bass. This is an unusual format for a guitar trio in that there is no leader with the two members in support. Each member gets the same billing and about equal amount of time to show off their talents in solo. Recommended.

Guitar – Joe Diorio
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Steve Bagby

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