Compassion

Hank Jones is marvelous in this 1978 trio date with bassist George Duvivier and drummer Alan Dawson, one of several dates they made together for Black & Blue in the latter part of the decade. It's hard to imagine any of these three superb musicians being in anything other than top form, and they do not disappoint. Jones' delightful tradeoffs with Dawson (on brushes) are the highlight of "A Foggy Day." The leader swings mightily in the oldie by Franz Lehár, "Yours Is My Heart Alone." The pop song "Come to Me" is successfully recast as a samba. "Alan's Allies" is a virtual master class for aspiring jazz drummers. The often low-key Duvivier provides terrific support without result to gimmickry. Like many of the reissues by the label during the late '90s, bonus tracks consisting of alternate takes of several numbers have been added.