Charlie Haden/Quartet West - The Art of the Song

****

(Verve/Universal)

Review: Graham Reid

Alongside vocalists Shirley Horn and Bill Henderson, the star of these superb recordings of jazz quartet and chamber orchestra is arranger/pianist Alan Broadbent, formerly of Onehunga, who has become something of a Grammy magnet for work such as this.

He sounds on target for another nomination for his sensitive and well-nuanced arrangements (and piano playing) in this long-established quartet led by bassist Charlie Haden. So it's strange that only the back of Broadbent's head appears in the booklet which gives the other performers nice profile shots.

Sidestepping threadbare and well-worn standards, Haden has chosen music from plays, lesser-known films, some thematically programmed originals (Broadbent's Scenes from a Silver Screen for jazz group and strings is deliciously evocative of a more romantic era) and a few arrangements of classical pieces (Rachmaninov, Ravel).

If that sounds highbrow or obscure, it isn't. This is yet another sophisticated and elegant Haden-helmed album to simply lie back and soak in - although Ruth's Waltz for Haden's partner is lumbered with ludicrous lyrics.

Otherwise, pure velvet.