“I Hear a Rhapsody,” the latest record from pianist Josh Nelson is an engaging and eloquent collection of original and cover music. The delicacy and imaginative arrangements of the music reminds me of childhood days lying on the green grass and staring up at clouds floating across the bluest skies. It’s almost very ethereal at some moments with tunes such as “Nebulous” and “A Change in the Wind” (both are originals by Josh).
This is Josh Nelson’s 4th recording release that has him standing at the helm while he is joined by Ben Wendel (tenor sax, bassoon) Tom Catanzaro (tenor and soprano sax), Charles Altura (guitar), Hamilton Price and Sam Minaie (bass) and Kevin Kanner and Zach Harmon (drums and percussion.) The band plays fully with heart and soul.
I first heard and saw Josh Nelson perform with a trio live last December 2008. Some friends and I wandered into the Foundry one Friday night, looking for something to do after eating vegan Thai (also the first time). We sat in the intimate surroundings, up close to the band, sipping fine Scotch and swinging and tapping our feet to the rhythm---enthralled by the performance. The same integrity and fun can be heard in "I Hear a Rhapsody."
I liken the collection to an oxymoron - just as Vegan Thai is a juxtaposition of a culture that blends intimately varying shades and hues of religion, politics and cuisines; "I Hear Rhapsody" is a question posed to an answer. The rhythm section gives a solid backing to allow for playful improvisation and melodic inventiveness that can swing out there. Nelson’s technical abilities are displayed in the melodious solos and abstract voicings. Wonderful. It’s like walking through the intricate alleys of the Kasbah in my vivid imagination of someplace I've never been before, but dreamed of being. I believe this is an essence of genius when the music transcends the physical reality to take you to another place.
Nelson is very generous in giving space to the other musicians. There are lots of solos that are woven into all the tunes. This CD is very worthwhile. I can listen to it over and over until I’ve absorbed every note and nuances. ----ANALYN REVILLA