Mel Bay Records
2004
Awakening
About This Album
Corey Christiansen is based in St. Louis, where he is the senior music editor and guitar clinician for Mel Bay Publications. In addition, he is an excellent guitarist who has a passionate sound and plays modern straight-ahead jazz. On Awakening, he and his quartet with pianist Per Danielsson perform four of his originals, the obscure "Last Night in Manhattan" (which has stimulating chord changes), and four jazz standards. Among the more memorable selections are the jazz waltz "Awakening," an uptempo "Little Hands, Big Dreams," a relaxed rendition of Sam Rivers' "Beatrice," and cooking versions of "All the Things You Are," "Darn That Dream" (which has a Latin tinge), and "Alone Together." Throughout, Christiansen and pianist Danielsson take consistently rewarding solos, while bassist Mark Neuenschwander and drummer Danny Gottlieb are stimulating in support. Although three of the four players (all but Gottlieb) are far from famous in the jazz world, all deserve to be better known. Collectors of bop-oriented guitar recordings will certainly enjoy Awakening. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,2,5,7 and 9)

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