Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy by the Larry McDonough Quartet

This is really lovely. I had to listen to a couple times I liked it so much.

Ode to Joy (Beethoven, Arr. McDonough) (7:49) from the DVD Larry McDonough Quartet, Live at the Music Connection.
http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com

McDonough arranged Beethoven's Ode to Joy in the style of a Bill Evans waltz, with the A section over a C pedal (CMaj7 and FmMaj7 over C) and the B section over a G pedal. It starts quietly with each solo increasing in intensity, culminating in the drum solo, and then back to the B section.

Also on the DVD are:

1. Introduction
2. Ode to Joy (Beethoven, Arr. McDonough) (7:49)
3. A Rose for Two (McDonough and Moffat) (5:10)
4. Lady Day (McDonough) (7:11)
5. Credits, Sirocco (McDonough)
6. Sirocco (Full Version) (8:59)
7. Angels We Have Heard on High (4:21)

Review for the LMQ CD Simple Gifts, which includes Ode to Joy and Lady Day: "Larry McDonough's long-awaited new recording serves up divergent delights, from a reconstructed holiday chestnut to inside-out renditions of jazz standards, from harmonically and rhythmically altered traditional melodies to a trio of original tunes. With a feathery touch that recalls Bill Evans but with more fingers and a unique approach to time that makes the most worn carol or standard a new adventure, Simple Gifts proves to be anything but "simple"—but, for those fortunate enough to hear this music, it is indeed a gift." --Andrea Canter, Jazz Police. Move reviews are at http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com.

The Larry McDonough Quartet
Larry McDonough, Piano, Voice, Compositions and
arrangements
Richard Terrill, Tenor and Soprano Saxes
Craig Matarrese, Bass
Chaz Draper, Drums
http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com