07/12/2007 John Fordham

Tim Whitehead
Too Young To Go Steady
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British saxophonist Tim Whitehead not only suggests a little of Sonny Rollins'brusque lyricism (as well as plenty of John Coltrane's headlong energy)but also the living legend's inviting inclination to spinlong improvisations off simple,even cheesy,song hooks.This live set(a 47 minute episode caught at the Soho Pizza Express last July)features the 1950's hit of the title track,three originals that take in a soul-jazzy "Happy Birthday To Me"and some jittery,stop-start Coltanesque postbop,and an initially wistful and then increasingly funky account of The Cardigans'"Love Fool". Whitehead's tough talksound,melodic spontaneity and the momentum of a brisk rythm section section(plus the audible enthusiasmof the audience)would make this a fine example of local contemporary jazz at full throttle.But the big bonus is an absolutely inspired performance from Liam Noble,whose piano links touch on Keith Jarrett'ssonglike phrasing and McCoy Tyner's thunder-except that his playing all over this set supplies a constantly changing stream of personal variations on those methods, and plenty more.