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Dick Hyman
Venice, FL
There are very few people around who can claim two highly
successful careers, but Dr. Herb Silverstein is one of those
rare ones. I haven't needed to call on him in his medical
capacity as a specialist in hearing, but I've heard the evidence
of his other interest, and I'll say that he is a terrific
jazz pianist. Furthermore, and surprisingly, he is amazingly
contemporary and seems to have been learning from post-boppers
from Herbie Hancock down to the present. His new recording,
Beach Walker is a case in point, and it's well worth listening
to.
Review FOUR STARS
by Scott Yanow
Based in Florida, Herb Silverstein (whose day job is as
an ear surgeon) not only plays piano on this set but wrote
all 12 of the compositions. The proceeds from the sales of
his CD go toward the nonprofit Ear Research Foundation. The
music is light, swinging, and full of subtle surprises. Other
than Silverstein and bassist Richard Drexler, the personnel
changes constantly, with the Lobster String Quartet utilized
quite effectively on four songs, reed player Jack Wilkins
and guitarist LaRue Nickelson appearing on six numbers apiece
(including three of the same songs), and Joel Spencer and
Steve Moretti taking turns on drums. Sometimes Silverstein's
playing recalls Bill Evans but in general he has his own fresh
voice within the modern mainstream (playing in 3/4 time particularly
well), and the same can be said for the supporting cast. Both
Wilkins (particularly strong on tenor) and Nickelson are major
assets in the solo department. The likable Beach Walker is
well worth searching for.
Beach Walker
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Herb Silverstein has a day job that makes for a
good story to go along with the music he makes on Beach Walker.
But music first...
This set of twelve original compositions, delivered by Silverstein
on piano, plus guitar, sax, bass and drums, has a vibrant
straight ahead glow, a bit on the cerebral--yet still engaging--side
of sound, a bit tangy and progressive, with LaRue Nickelson's
electric and acoustic guitars dancing seamlessly alongside
the leader's keyboard. The four tunes featuring the Lobster
String Quartet create a beautiful “with strings”
mood; while the jazzier numbers, like the title tune, really
cook, the string tunes stand out for this listener, with a
gentle swirl of harmony that fleshes out Silverstein's ideas--a
classical tinge adding a soft luster to the proceedings. “Awesome
Autumn” pairs strings with Jack Wilkins' tenor saxophone
with marvelous results, and Silverstein's solo has a the delicate
grace of a nimble musical surgeon, a lilting momentum that
leads back to the saxophone.
The day job? Dr. Herb Silverstein's main gig is as an ear
surgeon and “innovator of procedures and devices for
the hearing impaired,” and he is also the head of the
Silverstein Institute, which provides diagnosis and treatment
for ailments of the head, neck, nose, and ears. A first rate
talent in his first job, it seems, and a top level jazz man,
too, with Beach Walker to prove it.
Proceeds from the sale of this and Dr. Silverstein's eight
previous CDs help to fund the Ear Research Foundation.
John Gilbert
E JazzNews
5 Stars
This album consists of all original compositions by pianist
Herb Silverstein. He is accompanied at various times by strings,
rhythm and sax / flute.
The cool California sound is apparent in these selections
by Silverstein and company. "Beach Walker" the title
tune is marked by a fine tenor solo by Jack Wilkins and a
idea filled bass solo by Richard Drexler. Silverstein's message
is pure and simple with no mindless notes.
The melody of "High Heeled Lady" is totally apropos
to the title. This tune moves along gracefully in high style.
Herb Silverstein's soliloquy weaves a tapestry of sophistication.
"The Bird Returns" is Silverstein at his melodic
best as this song romps along riding on the pianist's melody
making magic. Wilkin's tenor adds to the potency of this number.
Joel Spencer on drums duels nicely with Wilkins on some brief
fours and deftly handles the percussion throughout.
Herb Silverstein plays and composes with style and panache.
Karl Stober
Jazz Review
Herb Silverstein Beach Walker
In life, we sometimes take a walk down a different path
leaving behind all that was dear... at the crossroads so to
speak. Then for a select few, we end up going full circle,
allowing a second chance as rare as that is. Dr. Herb Silverstein
had the opportunity, grasped the moment and ventured back
to that ivory path. The result, a very smooth piece of well-composed
and heartfelt piano driven jazz labeled "Beach Walker."
This is Dr. Silverstein's ninth project since his return.
Enjoy the music and experience, I did.
Accompanied by a somewhat behind-the-scenes cast of musicians,
however truly gifted, each cut has a personality and strong
performance attached. Bassist Richard Drexler has an astounding
impact on Dr. Silverstein 's project. His bass, along with
the sounds of Silverstein, unite in making this a successful
jazz recording. No frills, gimmicks put aside, this is good
strong arrangement and melodic composition.
It deserves mentioning that proceeds from the CD go to The
Ear Research Foundation, which Dr. Silverstein has embraced
through his work. That being said, one can understand that
cause, along with passion, were the catalysts for this work.
On a few cuts is the very talented and refined Lobster String
Quartet, which adds a new flavor in the mix. That along with
the tones and chords bouncing off the strings of LaRue Nickelson
completes a well-represented string set.
This is a firm and healthy piece of jazz with dynamic string
methodology - a very suitable musical textbook of novel jazz.
Take it for a spin if only for enjoyment purposes. There's
not a bad sound in the entire arrangement.
David Wilson
Wilson & Alroy Record Reviews
A moonlighting ear surgeon, Silverstein has been releasing
his own homebrewed CDs for years, spotlighting his jazz compositions
and piano playing. Backing him up on his ninth release are
Richard Drexler (bass), Jack Wilkins (flute and sax), LaRue
Nickelson (guitar, including a fine extended solo on "High-Heeled
Lady"), and either Joel Spencer or Steve Moretti (drums).
Though he's based in Florida, his tunes have a mellow West
Coast vibe, and they're unfailingly pleasant (title track;
the elegant "While You Were Away"); just a couple
of tunes increase the energy level ("Go Fourth,"
with a noisy solo from Wilkins). The
mood is so gentle, actually, that it verges on mood music
at times ("A French Wedding"), but is lifted into
a whole other realm on four tracks featuring the Lobster String
Quartet,
playing spooky arrangements (by Drexler) that often seem at
cross purposes to the main track ("Awesome Autumn";
the unearthly scraped violin opening "9.11" recalls
Sun Ra)
J. Scott Fugate,General Manager, Program & Music Director
Eclectic 89.1 WBCX - Gainesville, GA
"This is an excellent CD!"
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