Fire in the Soul (Ravenswave) was recorded and mixed live during Jazz Vespers programs Ravenscroft has pioneered at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The albums 14 brilliant trio collaborations take the listener through an inspired kaleidoscope of moods. In addition to the spontaneously combusted title track, the disc contains another prized original by Bob Ravenscroft, Blues for GR, plus seven improvs by the group that really take it out and bring it back. The threesome also paints its unique, brushstrokes of sound across Bill Evans Re: Person I Knew, Herbie Hancocks Speak Like a Child, Miles Davis Blue in Green and other legendary jazz cuts.
The groups other recent album Three Alone, an audiophile quality double album, was crafted with hybrid SACD technology. In one review, Kalman Rubinson of Stereophile Magazine said of Three Alone: It may be easy listening, but it's not superficial. Of special note for audiophiles is the outstandingly lucid and immediate sound Three Alone has been garnering airplay on jazz stations across the U.S., and Fire in the Soul is expected to do the same.
Bob Ravenscroft is on a veritable mission to imbue jazz with spirituality, and likewise seeks to bring high art into church settings. Hes the driving force behind an innovative new nonprofit organization called Music Serving the Word Ministries, which is developing several striking new concepts in live performance.
Musicians:
Bob Ravenscroft, piano
Steve Millhouse, bass
Rob Schuh, drums
Selections:
1. The Opener (Bill Evans)
2. Improv 1
3. Fire In The Soul
4. Blue In Green (Miles Davis)
5. Improv 2
6. Improv 3
7. Speak Like A Child (Herbie Hancock)
8. Improv 4
9. Re: Person I Knew (Bill Evans)
10. Improv 5
11. Improv 6
12. Improv 7
13. Some Other Time (Betty Condon, Adolph Green & Leonard Bernstein)
14. Blues For GR (Bob Ravenscroft)