Artist: Geoff Eales

Date of Release: 01/01/2002

Catalogue no: MSTCD 0032

Label: Mainstem

Price: £10

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Track Listing

Facing the Muse feature Geoff Eales - piano; Roy Babbington - bass; Mark Fletcher - drums

Reviews

01/04/2003 Chrissie Murray Jazz at Ronnie Scott's

" NEW HEROES... I am told we need 'new heroes'; so let me introduce an unsung hero... Geoff Eales, a gifted homegrown, totally uncategorisable pianist-composer who burns with terrifying passion for the music. He used to sit in the hot seat with the BBC Big Band from where he would launch a piano solo like a scud missile in a shower of sparks. While we took cover under the sofa to avoid the falling debris from the ceiling, we gasped, astonished, as Eales propelled the band's standard charts into the stratosphere through sheer mind blowing inventiveness. Eales' first trio CD, Facing The Muse (Mainstem) with bassist Roy Babbington and drummer Mark Fletcher, is a further revelation. While Eales pays tribute to his inspirations, his approach to a dusty standard such as Let's Face The Music And Dance is fasten seatbelts, hang on and prepare for the ride of your life. The originality of his direction on The Theme From Mash, Days Of Wine and 'Round Midnight " takes your breath away as Eales feverishly rewrites all the rules. In haste to create these new heroes, let's not overlook our unsung heroes? "

01/01/2003 John Fordham - The Guardian

"his sense of urgency, his fresh ideas and his enthusiasm are infectious"

01/01/2003 Derek Ansell - Jazz Journal International

"top flight piano trio music, beautifully fashioned and performed by Eales, and expertly supported by the top rank rhythm team of Roy Babbington and Mark Fletcher"