Talented Touch [Bonus Tracks]

Hank Jones worked together often with guitarist Barry Galbraith, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson in various recording sessions featuring many styles of music, backing singers, or anchoring larger ensembles, so it is no surprise they were featured as a working quartet on this 1958 Capitol LP. The dozen tracks mix standards (including "Star Eyes," "The Blue Room," and "My One and Only Love"), a few pop songs of the period, as well as a crisp interpretation of Gigi Gryce's "Blue Light" and the leader's one original, "Let Me Know," which is a modified approach to boogie-woogie. The tracks are rather brief, running less than three and a half minutes each, though musicians the caliber of these four gentleman can say a lot more musically in that time frame than most can during a ten-minute performance. Although this album isn't one of Hank Jones' most essential dates as a leader, it is worth purchasing if it can be found. ~ Ken Dryden