Tricotism - Nostalgia (2021)

Inspired by the early piano, guitar, bass trios of Oscar Peterson, Tricotism is much more than a mere cloning exercise, it's more a development of the format. Just as Peterson built on Nat Cole's pioneering efforts, so Tricotism have added their own take. The big difference being that this is a trio of equals rather than a leader and two sidemen. Interestingly, Peterson did revert to a more balanced trio with Joe Pass on guitar and Ray Brown on bass before returning to the piano, bass, drums set up.

It's the trio with Joe Pass that Tricotism most closely resembles and this they manage whilst retaining their own identity. Three musicians, comparable with any three on the world stage today, offer an enjoyable mix of standards, jazz classics, a couple of Peterson originals and one by Milverton himself.

Once upon a time just about every album included a ballad medley then, for whatever reason, they fell out of fashion - but now ballad medleys are back and very welcome they are too!

Nigel kicked it off with I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You. Sandy followed on with I Can't Get Started and Craig took it out with I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good. An absolute classic performance - and that applies to the whole album.

As a matter of interest, the album notes inform us that Craig was playing his prized 1922 Steinway grand piano (did he win it in a raffle?) they don't make 'em like that anymore!