Lonely Town: Flanagan's Trio with Jones and Benjamin
Elvin Jones and Joe Benjamin give Tommy Flanagan a rhythm section that swings without crowding him.
Elvin Jones is the reason to pay attention to this session. Known for the propulsive, polyrhythmic drumming he later brought to John Coltrane's quartet, Jones here shows a lighter touch, pushing the trio forward while leaving Tommy Flanagan room to phrase with his characteristic clarity. Flanagan, a pianist of precise, economical lines, sounds relaxed in this company, and the interplay with bassist Joe Benjamin keeps the music moving without ever sounding busy.
The album title track, Lonely Town, gives the trio a chance to sit in a ballad mood, and Flanagan's voicings are warm and unhurried. Elsewhere the group leans into faster swing, where Jones's cymbal work and the bass lines of Benjamin give the record its drive. It is a straightforward trio date rather than a conceptual statement, and that is part of its appeal.
For listeners approaching Flanagan, this is a solid entry point into his trio work, though it is not usually cited as his most essential recording. Fans of mainstream piano trios will find much to enjoy, and anyone interested in Elvin Jones outside of the Coltrane years will hear a different side of him here.
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