(Contemporary Jazz) The Ben Sidran Hammond Quartet - Cien Noches - 2008, WavPack (image+.cue) lossless

It's rare that modern jazz crooners govern so many types of keyboard instruments to the best of its ability like Ben Sidran, whether they govern an instrument beyond their voice at all. Although Sidran's voice is his trademark: a timeless tenor storyteller with wonderful fun and insightful lyrics, which almost has the stand up comedians ability to communicate details in situations, it is Sidran's pianistic qualities which have been extensive documented and praised, as a leader and sideman. When decided to release a live album where he just plays the Hammond B-3 organ, and with no bass player like the jazz organ masters, it is with some excitement, admiration and concerns that arises when the music starts. "Cien Noches" is the first album in his own name where Sidran plays the organ himself on all the tracks, even though that he 40 years ago played in a organ duo with organist Mevin Rhyne's brother on drums, Ron Rhyne, in a local jazz club!
"Cien Noches" starts with Sidrans' scatting intro supported by funky organ licks, before he welcomes us to Madrid's famous Cafe Central backed by a band of experienced musicians from previous albums; saxophonist Bob Rockwell, brother and drummer Leo Sidran, and for me the unknown guitarist Louka Patenaude. The album contains a number of original songs - the album continues with "Get It Yourself, a bittersweet commentary on rock and roll industry, then" Cave Dancing, an extended parable about jazz and the roots of religion. Bob Dylan classics "Gotta Serve Somebody" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" is performed better than the original (?) Saxophonist Bob Rockwell's "Drinkin 'and Thinkin' is an obvious party favorite before groove time is announced where guest singer JJ Telesso folds out into jazz scatting ala Eddie Jefferson on "Straight No Chaser".
Ben Sidran is the complete musician which the quality of "Cien Noches" album proves. Those who expect an organ jazz record in the "Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco" tradition, must look elsewhere. I am charmed by Sidran's daring approach to use a Hammond B-3 organ enormous capabilities WITH bass pedals, which piano-to-organ converts should learn of, and as he states: "Anybody who is a fan of Jimmy Smith or Groove Holmes or Larry Young or Jack McDuff knows that the bass line is everything. Not just the notes which are important too but how one uses the position of the notes within the groove to drive the music. Unlike playing in a normal trio or quartet, when you play organ you have the opportunity to set up and support the solos with complete authority using the bass groove".
A great album for lovers of the modern crooner tradition....and the Hammond organ.