My Little Brown Book

AMG Review of My Little Brown Book

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

Pianist Horace Parlan is literally at home during the three sessions which make up My Little Brown Book. Joined by bassist Jesper Lundgaard (a frequent collaborator) and alto saxophonist Christina von Bülow, he is in great form throughout these intimate performances, consisting of originals, standards and jazz compositions by other greats. His jubilant "Little Esther" and saucy lues "Party Time" feature Lundgaard's walking bass with von Bülow taking center stage with her mellow solos while Parlan playfully detours into a Monk-like dissonance on the latter piece. The leader sounds very relaxed playing old favorites like the bittersweet standard "Everything Happens to Me" and Billy Strayhorn's lush "Lotus Blossom." His loping treatment of "Fran Dance" revives a gem from the '50s that has only been sporadically played since it was recorded by Miles Davis. Highly recommended!