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About It's About Time
"It's About Time!" (with extra tracks from the original 1987 LP release) marks the CD debut of Chicago piano great Willie Pickens. When the Pickens name is mentioned in Chicago, it resonates the world over. A master sound technician, composer and innovator, Pickens continues in a tradition of Chicago-based improvisors that started with Earl Hines and Lennie Tristano. Pickens has become the Chicago sound. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pickens career includes his work as a Chicago Public School System educator, house pianist to the famed Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase, road artist with the invincable Elvin Jones, and pianist with the Ravinia "Mentors", it is indeed time for this CD. The original direct to digital tracks from a 1987 LP release have been remastered on this disc. Also included are 4 unreleased bonus live tracks, 3 solo piano recordings from a concert in 1981 at The Uptown Hull House on a vintage 1930's Steinway and the final surprise, a live date from the 1986 Chicago Jazz Festival, courtesy of Dick Wang, the archival administrator to the Jazz Institute of Chicago. There is no "rest" in savoring the music of Mr. Pickens. His profound technique rivals any jazz or classical master, and it becomes pointless to try and describe his musical essence with words. You don't hear snatches of "other" cats, but you witness the blending machine called Willie Pickens, mixing melody with dissonance, jazz with latin, classical with the avant garde and emotion with technique. Buy it. Play it. And don't lend this CD to your friends.
