Review of PD3 & Dick Pearce Live

By Bob Bevan-Jones

It used to be said that musical labels were “restrictive”: but that was just hippy libertarianism speaking. If you allow yourself to control the labels rather than let them control you, they are helpful in communicating ideas. So why do we mess with them so much in this country? The label “garage” came to mean something entirely different in the 1990s than it had in the 1970s; and the “R&B”of today bears no resemblance to the “R&B” of the 1950s and 1960s.

I know that jazz has had its difficulties with musical labels in the past; but I can tell when something is a form of jazz and when it's something else masquerading as jazz. They order these things better in France, I fancy; or rather, across all Europe there seems to be a better understanding about what jazz is and what it does to the listener and for the listener. Pete Downes' band has always struck me as a band that could win fame and plaudits on the continent; while here in Britain it's still waiting for its fair share of media attention.

With luck, Pete's new CD [“PD3 with Dick Pearce – Live”, Wiser WPCD0004 ? 2006] will help him to win new audiences. It certainly should. Never before has the band sounded so tight, largely because of the solid underpinning provided by Andy Coe (bass) and Tim Bruce (drums). And on this album Pete's lush and passionate guitar work is complemented by the equally lush and passionate horn sounds of the legendary Dick Pearce, who has worked in the past with Ronnie Scott, Don Weller and Mornington Lockett.

Both Pete and Dick can make the music they play sound smooth when it needs to be; but by no definition is it “smooth” music. This is jazz that spans many different moods and intensities, ranging from a comtemplative arrangement of Mozart's “Requiem” through to Marcus Miller's funky “Tutu”. I say it's a tribute to the skills of both soloists that they achieve these mood changes without showing any joins. And you can measure their generous spirits by the way they leave room for each other, while also allowing bass and drums to come to the fore on occasion. Both Andy and Tim get opportunities to show their mastery of their instruments.

Two fine tracks on this CD demonstrate Pete's developing skill as a composer. As those familiar with previous PD3 CDs will know, he's written some fabulous pieces in the past; and there are two Downes-penned numbers on the new CD: “View in Blue” and “Eclipse” – the latter previously showcased on the band's excellent “Street Scene” album. In my opinion, these are among the best tracks on the CD.

Pete's trio is an entity in itself; and Dick Pearce is a instrumentalist who has in the past and will in the future play in a variety of different jazz contexts. Their coming-together has produced something surprisingly singular and integrated. Buy this CD and be fascinated – be entertained – be delighted!

Bob Bevan-Jones,

August 2006