So Real (Remastered) Warren Bernhardt

• 1 Autumn Leaves 07:34
• 2 Never Let Me Go 08:11
• 3 Brigas Nunca Mais 04:36
• 4 Somewhere 07:21
• 5 I Mean You 05:46
• 6 On the Lake 06:14
• 7 Don't Explain 05:40
• 8 I Should Care 05:11
• 9 So Real 06:04
• Total Runtime 56:37

Info for So Real (Remastered)

"So Real" consists of nine tunes all of which were first takes except for Autumn Leaves which was the second take because Warren didn't like the tempo of the first take. There is not an edit or a fix in the entire album, just great playing by some of the finest musicians on the planet.

There are two ways of explaining the CD title, So Real: It’s the only original tune by pianist Bernhardt, or the fact that not one edit exists on the album. Eight of the nine cuts were first takes. Bernhardt recorded “Autumn Leaves” again because he was dissatisfied with the tempo.

Considering the “time is money” concept that short-changes so many sessions, DMP must be as delighted as Bernhardt, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Peter Erskine. They have all created a memorable collection of chamber jazz: intellectual swing, intelligent interaction, tasteful choices, dynamic self-control, with stereo separation and clarity seldom heard these days.

As usual, the ballads separate the men from the boys and underscore the claim that Bill Evans was Bernhardt’s mentor. (Reinforcing that are the recordings Bernhardt made with Eddie Gomez.) Why “Never Let Me Go” is not done more often is a mystery. It’s given a prayerful treatment here. Another ballad, Erskine’s “On the Lake,” has a visual loveliness, fragile as a film cue. Curiously, the semitango of Erskine’s brushes shouldn’t work, but it makes sense. Knowing its West Side Story origin, “Somewhere” shouldn’t work as a waltz, but it does. Contrasting all the seriousness, Monk’s quirky “I Mean You” showcases the trio’s versatility.

Perhaps it’s the unexpected that makes this CD so successful, like the swinging solo brushes on the slow “Don’t Explain” or Bernhardt’s quote from “Straight, No Chaser” on a fast “I Should Care” or how “So Real,” which is so bluesy, can sound so free.

Warren Bernhardt, piano
Jay Anderson, double bass
Peter Erskine, drums

Recorded live to DSD (Direct Stream Digital) on April 9 & 10, 2001 by Tom Jung at Ambient Recording, Stamford, CT.

Digitally remastered

Warren Bernhardt
was born in Wausau, Wisconsin. His father was a pianist, leading him to have early childhood exposure to piano, and he learned some rudiments of keyboarding from his friends. At five his parents moved to New York City, where he began studying seriously under varied instructors. After the death of his father in 1957 he quit music for a time to study chemistry and physics at the University of Chicago. In that city he was exposed to blues and jazz, which influenced the rest of his career.

From 1961 to 1964 he worked in Paul Winter's sextet, which led to his return to New York. Once in New York, he worked with George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Jeremy Steig and others. He also developed a close relationship with the pianist Bill Evans, who served as a mentor to Bernhardt. Bernhardt released several solo LPs in the 1970s, and eventually became a member of the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead while continuing to work on solo projects. In 1971, he provided the piano accompaniment on the song "Crossroads" by Don McLean.

Bernhardt has released jazz and classical recordings over the past twenty years, and is also featured in teaching sessions in both audio and video formats from Homespun Tapes.

Bernhardt toured as the musical director with Steely Dan in the United States from 1993 to 1994,[3] and can be heard on Steely Dan's Alive in America album. He has more recently performed with Simon and Garfunkel's Old Friends tour, on Art Garfunkel's solo tours,[4] and can be seen on the Art Garfunkel DVD and HDTV presentation Across America.

In 2009, Bernhardt reunited with his band from 1973, L'Image, featuring Mike Mainieri, David Spinozza, Tony Levin and Steve Gadd. The group performed at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, toured Japan, and released the album L 'Image 2.0.

Booklet for So Real (Remastered)