This Stan Hope recording combines bold confidence with a polished elegance reminiscent of Erroll Garner, his early influence. Hope's playing sparkles like Garner's, but is not as fanciful or as ornate. Hope doesn't engage in those long, twisting runs Garner is noted for, but he certainly swings and plays in an unabashedly romantic manner. His renditions of 4 Garner charts have the same spare yet melodic selectivity as that of his idol. While this album is primarily a piano trio set, long-time sidecick Houston Person shows up with his swinging soulful tenor saxophone on three cuts. Drummond and Washington are their usual excellent selves and sonics are plush in trademark Savant manner.
1. Be Anything
2. Summer Serenade
3. Moment's Delight
4. That's My Kick
5. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing / Forest Flower
6. Hopeful Blues
7. Pastels
8. Nightwind
9. Indiana
10. Cottage For Sale / Everything I Have Is Yours / I'm Falling For You
Personnel: Stan Hope (piano); Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Ray Drummond (bass); Kenny Washington (drums)
Recorded at M & I Studios, New York, New York on November 17, 1999.
