Soft Lights and Sweet Music: Clusone Trio Plays the Music of Irving Berlin [Bonus Track

Clusone 3: Michael Moore (alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, celeste, melodica), Ernst Reijseger (cello), Han Bennink (drums, celeste).
Producers: Ulrich Kurth, Pia Uehlinger, Werner X. Uehlinger.
Recorded at Radio DRS, Zurich, Switzerland on November 2-3, 1993. Includes liner notes by Kevin Whitehead.
All songs written by Irving Berlin except "Cuckoo In The Clock" (John H. Mercer/Walter Donaldson) and "For The Folks Back Home" (Sean Bergin).
Personnel: Ernst Reijseger (cello); Michael James Moore (melodica, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, celesta); Michael Moore (melodica, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Han Bennink (celesta, drums).
Liner Note Author: Kevin Whitehead.
Recording information: Radio DZRS Zurich, Switzerland (09/02/1993/09/03/1993).
Author: Kevin Whitehead.
The Clusone Trio (which is comprised of Michael Moore on clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto; cellist Ernst Reijseger; and percussionist Han Bennink) perform avant-garde music that even haters of free jazz will enjoy due to their crazy (yet accessible) humor. For this highly recommended CD, the trio interprets 19 Irving Berlin songs, turning them inside out yet usually showing respect for the original melodies. Their versions of such songs as "There's No Business Like Show Business," "What'll I Do," "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," and "White Christmas" are quite unique. This is a CD worth taking a chance on. ~ Scott Yanow