RICHARD BLIWAS
Walk the Bike (Rising Rose)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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How can anybody not crack a smile when they listen to this album? I swear, this is the happiest, sweetest, goofiest, most optimistic album I've heard in a long time, without - get this - ever being smarmy or sappy or stupid. Jazz pianist and vocalist Bliwas is joined on this by a host of other wonderfully talented musicians, including bassist Ben Allison and saxophonist Michael Blake, to create some really pleasant coffeehouse jazz that is positively uplifting to listen to. The arrangements are simple and perfect, with the occasional use of spacey sound effects and samples that just push the cool, goofy feeling up another notch.

[Pick this up at http://www.richardbliwas.com.]

© 2002 - Holly Day