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HOLLY HOFMANN Low Life Capri 74133

1. Jack of Hearts

2. Touch the Fog

3. Grow (for Dick Oatts)

4. Lumière de la Vie

5. Cedar Would

6. The Very Thought of You

7. Make me Rainbows

8. Soul-Leo

9. Farmer’s Trust

Holly Hofmann – Alto flute

Mike Wofford – Piano

John Clayton – Bass

Jeff Hamilton - Drums

Anthony Wilson – Guitar (tracks 1, 3, 5, 9)

Sub-titled “The alto flute project”, this album presents flautist Holly Hofmann playing the alto flute, which has a deeper, darker tone than the normal C flute. Holly began including a piece on the alto flute in her concerts, and she found that it had a particular appeal for listeners. So she decided to record this whole album using the instrument.

The result is fairly laid-back, as the alto flute cannot be very loud or assertive, but this makes for relaxed listening. Cedar Would is really the only up-tempo tune on the album: John Clayton’s tribute to pianist Cedar Walton. Appropriately it includes a tasteful piano solo by Mike Wofford, who is Holly Hofmann’s husband. There is also a sparkling guitar solo in Wes Montgomery mode from Anthony Wilson, who only appears on four tracks of the CD but makes every appearance count. Cedar Would also features bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton swapping skilful fours. With their dynamic energy, these last two gentlemen save the album from being too understated.

Other highlights include Jack of Hearts, a jaunty piece by Anthony Wilson which has the flute playing in unison with the guitar. Grow (for Dick Oatts) is a jazz waltz with many twists and turns, while Holly Hofmann’s Lumière de la Vie has a classical mood, moving between different time signatures. The Very Thought of You is a duet between Hofmann and Wofford, both of whom display enviable delicacy. Make Me Rainbows was written by well-known Hollywood composer John Williams for the Dick Van Dyke film Fitzwilly. It is a catchy tune, as is the closing Farmer’s Trust – a memorable melody by Pat Metheny.

I would write more about Soul-Leo but my two record-players made funny noises when I tried to play it. Apart from this disappointment, I was enchanted with this unpretentious but totally professional album

Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk

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