Ulf Wakenius Ulf Wakenius Quartet Live Review

Overall Rating

Don't be fooled by the sluggish, saccharine start to this live set by schizoid master guitarist Ulf Wakenius - that opening solo track dedicated to Wes Montgomery, and not sounding much like him (although admittedly that's not what is always required in a tribute) soon drifts away like fuzz on a fart to clear the air for a rip-roaring, tight quartet bebop dedicated to John Coltrane (but actually sounding A LOT like Wes Montgomery, e.g., circa Full House. Er, are these liner notes right? Or perhaps he's more like Joe Pass, one of Wakenius' predecessors in Oscar Peterson's group. So, is that why Peterson chose him?)
The supporting cast need special mention for an outstanding performance, particularly pianist Ake Johansson who has a great rich and sensuous, almost gospel touch, flying somewhere in between the sensitive expressiveness of Bill Evans and the sheer outright joy of Oscar Peterson himself.

Alas, the group settles back for another jazz lounge stroll through Hoagy Carmichael's Skylark, but only after some pleasant introductory electro-blues noodling, before cranking up the pace again in the second half of their set: a couple of Ellington covers and a Bernie Miller piece which really rocks, showing us Wakenius at his most bluesy.

Great sounding CD that lacks zest apart from the two standout tracks.