‘Double Down’ is a double CD set recorded by Art Fristoe (piano) and bassist Tim Ruiz with two different drummers (Daleton Lee and Richard Cholakan). This recording came about as the result of Art-House film Daniel Jircik and J.W. Peine were making with Bob Dorough, to which Art made a major contribution to the film as an actor, pianist and vocalist. Here he is captured leading the trio through a series or original numbers, jazz standards, and some songs that are somewhat surprising when heard in this context. This is classic old school jazz, with sumptuous groove, soulfulness and tenderness in everything that is being performed.
So, it is somewhat surprising to discover that the opening number is nothing less than “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. I doubt that Kurt ever thought that his guitar-driven angst could be transformed into an instrumental of such delicacy and subtlety. Somehow Art manages to stay true to the original, yet totally transforms the song so that it fully belongs within the canon. Of all the songs contained within this double CD set, this is the one that hits home personally with me just because I know the original so well, yet here it has been taken to a totally different level. Other modern delights are some Beatles numbers, sitting happily alongside many Art Fristoe originals, Duke Ellington and others. One of the sheer delights of this album is the way that he brings together music from many different sources and then gives it his own distinct flavour. All the guys working with him are also masters of their craft, but special mention must be made of Tim Ruiz whose fingers seem to glide over the bass and provides runs and slides that are absolutely in keeping with the feel, and always exactly right for the moment. Overall, this is a very impressive piece of work.
