Charlie Haden Quartet West: Sophisticated Ladies – review

(Emarcy)Those familiar with American bassist Charlie Haden (who plays the Barbican on 21-22 May) and his landmark recordings with Ornette Coleman in the 1950s or with Keith Jarrett in the 70s might find his now 25-year-old Quartet West overly graceful by comparison – even more so now that it has been augmented with six low-lights singers and a swoony strings ensemble. But Haden's patient lyricism and devotion to classic song melody always exhibit a disguised intensity and a flawless touch. Cas...

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