Lou Caimano - Dyad Plays Puccini

Dyad Any two pitches, more commonly known as an interval. Dy·ad (di'ad', -?d) n. Eric and Lou re-imagine Puccini's most beautiful classical compositions as contemporary jazz arrangements in Dyad Plays Puccini. These two accomplished classical and jazz artists are unique in their ability to fuse the two musical streams into a new art form. Beloved arias from Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Turandot, La Bohème, and others are combined with the sounds and rhythms of jazz, gospel, R&B, and Latin jazz to create an innovative musical experience. Olsen and Caimano bring ten timeless Puccini melodies into the 21st century with grace, style, virtuosity, and originality. Eric Olsen plays a beautifully restored Steinway B piano from 1885, and Lou Caimano's tone is equally ravishing! The recording is audiophile quality, mastered with a certified single-speed glass master for highest fidelity to the original recording. Earlier reviews of Dyad's first CD entitled DYAD: Caimano and Olsen go back and forth through the [too often forbidden] borders between Classical and Jazz, with the ease of a couple of North-Mexican coyotes crossing the Rio Grande. Please keep the good work! (Paquito D'Rivera, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist) It's not often the expression "less is more," is really musically meaningful. Dyad, the new CD by saxophonist Lou Caimano and pianist Eric Olsen definitely achieves meaning with less. The notes on the CD reveal something about their musical process. Something about it is a both thoughtful, complex, and heartfelt. Together the searching sound reveals a sophisticated love affair between reed and keyboard that join extremes into a masterful potion. At times, the contradictions meld together, edgy and tender, childlike and sophisticated, intelligent and romantic. Lot 's of interesting couplings. The CD is quite varied and includes original neo-classical compositions, latin rhythms, and formidable jazz standards. Perfect for a rainy day. (Saul Spangenberg Assistant Dean, Conservatory of Music, Purchase College - SUNY) REVIEW OF DYAD CD - JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE BY DAN BILAWSKY 'DYAD, a duo recording that fuses classical and jazz influences begins with alto saxophonist Lou Caimano's 'Sonata'. The first movement, 'Fugato', establishes the mood with some oblique, angular statements as Caimano moves over Olsen's rhythmically charged lines. We're treated to a minute long glimpse of overt jazz as Caimano wails and moans with great power and passion. Olsen's piano solo seems to owe equal debts to jazz and classical influences here. The pianist comes out and restates the opening melodic material as he and Caimano wind their way through the rest of the piece. Olsen's haunting piano work cushions Caimano's rich, full-bodied, saxophone sound which sighs and provides some chilling moments on 'Ballad for a Lonely Child'. This second movement of Caimano's 'Sonata' has hints of New Age music buried within the melodic and harmonic DNA of the piece. Caimano's liner notes hit the nail on the head when he writes that 'Thelonius Monk meets Count Basie meets Arnold Schoenberg' on '12 More-or Less.' This piece is 'a 12-bar blues written on a 12-tone row', though Caimano does note that 'it's actually 11-11/16 measures long!' Caimano, possessing a more classically influenced bright tone here, swoons, swings and bounces over Olsen's rollicking piano work. 'Contemplation,' the final movement of the Sonata, is the most passionate and pure jazz statement in this work. The Latin influences are apparent and Olsen establishes the groove of the piece. Caimano's fiery playing, full with fast runs and soulful declarations, effortlessly glides over Olsen's fine piano playing. Olsen counters Caimano with an equally exciting solo, which shows a bit more restraint in dynamic contrasts.Eric Olsen briefly takes on the role of bass player as he provides a walking bass line behind Caimano on 'Beautiful Love.' Following this section, where Olsen is in the pure accompanist role, both men get down to business with some seriously fun swinging as they romp their way through this engaging and original Olsen arrangement of this tune. The longest track on the album, clocking in at just less than eleven minutes, is their interpretation of Ellington's 'In A Sentimental Mood.' While Caimano delivers the melody of the tune with passion and grace, Olsen fills in beneath his long-held notes withrich and provocative sounds. The pianist then takes things down a notch to establish a late-night candlelit jazz club-type mood during his solo. When Caimano reappears in the song things start to take on a firmer rhythmic drive though still remaining soft and seductive enough to stay in the established direction. While 'The Hallucinogenic Toreador' might sound like a song title from an album by The Bad Plus, this song is actually a gorgeous Spanish-tinged Olsen composition. A Piazzolla sound or influence can be heard in this piece and romance and intrigue are born out of Olsen's wonderful playing. Caimano's 'Waltz For Karg-Elert'ends the album with Olsen driving things underneath and Caimano riding atop it all.'

1) Musetta's Waltz
2) Ch'ella Mi Creda
3) Act I Overture
4) Che Gelida Manina
5) In Quelle Trine Morbide
6) O Mio Babbino Caro
7) Un Bel Di
8) E Lucevan Le Stelle
9) Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
10) Nessun Dorma