Artist: Michael Garrick
Title: Home Thoughts
Cat Number: JAZA20
Label, Year Released: Jazz Academy Records, 2012
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5016700133325
The ebullient and restless creativity of pianist/composer Michael Garrick, coupled with his enthusiasm and boundless energy, placed him at the forefront of UK jazz from the 1960s until his death in November of 2011. ‘Home Thoughts’ is his final album recorded in the summer of 2011, with the group which he dubbed ‘The Lyric Ensemble’.
An innovator in many ways, Michael Garrick spearheaded the jazz and poetry movement in the 1960s, composed countless pieces for jazz orchestra and big band, made the first (and last) jazz recording in St. Paul’s Cathedral with massed choir, and recorded many albums with his small groups.
In singer Nette Robinson, Garrick had found a muse with which to indulge his love of poetry and music, revelling in her ability and eagerness to sing whatever melody his mind could conjure. On ‘Home Thoughts’ Michael explores the work of some of the great poets, effusively composing to the lines of Shakespeare, Browning, Blake, Tin-Tun-Ling, in addition to his own poetic output. Voice and piano are complemented by the talents of Tony Woods on saxophone/reeds, Matt Ridley on double bass, and drummer Chris Nickolls.
“Home Thoughts reveals that Garrick’s gifts as a pianist and writer were so obviously undiminished so shortly before his death. This adds further poignancy to a record already rich in subtle emotions and moods…Nette Robinson essays these often-difficult lyrics with an agile charm. Beautifully packaged with photographs from Garrick and artwork by artist Sisi Burn and singer Nette Robinson, this is a little gem.” – Duncan Heining, Jazzwise
“Home Thoughts represents a suitable closing statement from Garrick, a well crafted album of great beauty and sensitivity that showed him to be in rude creative health until the end. Obviously Garrick didn’t know that it was going to be his last recorded testament, he merely approached the album with the same level of care and craftsmanship that he invested in all his projects.” – Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann
Michael Garrick: piano
Nette Robinson: vocals
Tony Woods: reeds
Matt Ridley: bass
Chris Nickolls: drums
All tracks composed by Michael Garrick except for track 5 (Jaco Pastorius) and track 6 (Kenny Wheeler)
Recorded and mastered at Clown’s Pocket Studios, London, September 2011 by Derek Nash