Richard Beirach

Richard Beirach
Eon (ECM)

Richard Beirach is a pianist-composer of great warmth and talent. Long associated with Dave Liebman, ol' Rich takes his first solo bow on this ECM date. The music is so fresh and naturally performed, you'd figure it carne from the ground or out of the sky. Whatever its origin, earthly or divine, it soothes and surprises like an April rainbow or an income tax refund.
The compositions are gently shaped quiet and loping, possessed with innocence and youth. Beirach's studied harmonic voicings are ably accompanied by Frank Tusa's full-bodied bass sound, and Jeff Williams' drumming is measured and relaxed. It only goes to show that a pianist can create a landscape of orchestral depth and color with the barest accompaniment,
Beirach's pianistics owe a greater debt to lyricists like Bill Evans or Keith Jarrett than to more energetic and challenging players like McCoy Tyner or Jaki Byard. Still, his conception is personal and communicative-especially when the tune has some palpable architecture, like his rendering of Miles Davis' "Nardis," or his own "Mitsuku."
And while we're talking about directness, communication and warmth, there's a whole album's worth to be found on ' Hound Dog Taylor's last recording before his death in December of last year.