Christmas Swing from the Blue Note Studio
Duke Pearson brings a relaxed, swinging trio approach to seasonal standards, with Airto Moreira's percussion adding color.
Merry Ole Soul was recorded in 1969 for Blue Note, where pianist and arranger Duke Pearson had become one of the label's most dependable musical hands. The session features a rhythm section of Bob Cranshaw on bass, Mickey Roker on drums, and Airto Moreira on percussion, with Pearson at the piano. The setting is a small group working in the studio, and the sound reflects that: this is not a grand orchestral holiday production but a working band playing familiar tunes with ease.
The album leans on swinging, straightforward arrangements of Christmas standards. Pearson's piano is clean and direct, without much showmanship, and the rhythm section keeps things loose. Moreira's percussion gives the record a bit of extra texture beyond the standard trio sound. A listener looking for deep reinvention may be disappointed, but one who wants a warm, unpretentious seasonal record will find plenty to enjoy.
In the context of Pearson's career, this is a side project rather than a central statement. It is not the place to start with his work; his Blue Note leader dates from the same period are stronger introductions. Reception was modest, with AllMusic giving it 2 out of 5 stars, so it sits as a minor entry for listeners who already know and like his playing.
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More by Duke Pearson
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The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
