The Observer, September 23, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 4
Breakstone plays Nighttown
This past Tuesday there were two major entertainment options for the Case student without homework: the sneak preview of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, or a performance of the Joshua Breakstone Trio at Nighttown. Mr. Breakstone is an internationally renowned Jazz guitarist boasting 17 CDs over his 22-year career, which feature such famous names as Tommy Flannigan, Kenny Barron, and Pepper Adams, and include a CD of Japanese songs and two full-length CDs of original compositions. At this particular performance he was joined by bassist Dave Morgan, a professor of music from Youngstown State University, and Paul Samuels, a popular drummer in the Cleveland scene who is currently working on his début album.
This was Breakstone's first time performing at Nighttown, and his first time back in Cleveland in 10 years. As the audience filled the room and the other members of the trio set up, Breakstone chatted with the front few tables before leaving to tune his own instrument. After a brief introduction the music began, immediately rising to an energetic and excited pace. The notes flowed off the guitar with the warm mellow sound and clipped style of jazz guitar, alternating between smooth chords and frenzied, rapid-fire pizzicato. The whole trio moved with the music, bobbing heads or tapping feet, but Breakstone almost jumped with each note he pulled out of his single humbucker Gibson guitar, his fingers blurring as they moved up and down the neck of the instrument. Dave Morgan and Paul Samuels seemed to be infected with the same energy as Breakstone, adding subtle nuances to the music as they kept the beat, and on occasion matching the fantastic technical guitar with incredible solos of their own.
Between songs Breakstone talked to the audience, telling jokes and giving background for the next song. While all of the pieces were impressive displays of musicality and skill, there were a few that rose above the rest. "Red River Valley" was a song that debuted in Japan and became a staple of Breakstone's repertoire after the huge reaction it garnered from audiences. The song is catchy, with numerous variations on a central theme that repeats until a deceptively quiet point that tricks the audience into premature applause before rushing on to a flash finish. "My Shining Album" is similar to "Red River Valley" in style, but takes the energy and intensity to another level. All parts of the trio play so fast the music sounds almost confused, barely hanging onto the tempo. The guitar and bass play with shades and variations of "London Bridge" and "When the Saints Come Marching In," while the drum line is punctuated by exciting and passionate solos. The tempo of the music slowed down with "Be Anything (But Darling Be Mine)," but Breakstone lost none of the articulation he had on the faster pieces. Whereas many of the other songs invoked images of busy city life, or the excitement of an especially rowdy party, this song was fun after a different fashion. It invoked the pleasure of lounging around on a sunny Sunday afternoon, something hard to imagine at Case. The guitar melody floated over the walking bass line, replacing the notes that typically would have been sung in a traditionally vocal piece.
Each song ended with hearty applause from the audience and the night wrapped up with calls for "encore," which the trio was happy to oblige. The whole show was characterized by an enormous amount of excitement, energy, and Breakstone's signature speed, which left the audience feeling thrilled and begging for more of these excellent artists' talents.
