Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine
Chris Tarry Group
"Almost Certainly Dreaming"
www.christarry.com
Oh man. When Chris emailed and said, "Hey. I'm really
proud of my new CD that's coming out, let me send you one to check
out!", I knew it was going to be cool. His previous release,
"Sorry to be Strange" was a wonderful album full of fantastic playing
(everything I've heard from Chris has been pretty fantastic,
actually). I must say, this is one of the best albums I've heard
in a while. Chris moved from Canada (where he had quite a name
for himself already touring with bands like "Metalwood") to NYC in 2003
and has steadily been securing his place among the greats in the
scene. Having played with John Scofield, Wayne Krantz, Oz Noy,
Keith Carlock, Ben Monder, Anton Fig and a host of others since his
arrival, it seems he's doing quite well in a scene that is notoriously
demanding and not for the weak-hearted.
"Almost Certainly Dreaming" (featuring Dan Weiss (drm), Henry Hey
(pno), Peter McCann (gtr) & Kelly Jefferson (sax)) is Chris'
masterpiece, I believe. Every track is gripping and fluid. Liquid is
the word that comes to mind... These guys play so well together
and navigate some pretty deep grooves through some pretty oblique
time-signatures and rhythmic patterns (but never forced or hard to grab
ahold of). Both Chris and Dan Weiss really stands out to me
(although, I always tend to fall for the rhythm section,
admittedly. But Chris and Dan just tear it up together!). I
haven't heard him before, but I can only imagine that we will all be
hearing a lot more from all of these guys. Each voice is strong
and unique but there is a respect in regards to the way each
interacts. Very mature playing and some world class soloing by
all. Chris sounds absolutely wonderful and his writing has taken
on an intensified quality and clarity that (I'm sure) will not go
ignored by music lovers. He is most definitely making his mark
both as a musician, technician and composer. I look forward to
hearing where we grows from here!
