Mark Wade Trio- True Stories (Best of list 2022)

- The album starts with one of two originals, “I Feel More Like I Do Now.” Tim Harrison’s acoustic piano sets the central theme, quickly shifting with the time signature changes. Wade’s bass solo is as expressive as ever, and Scott Neumann’s snare and rim work add to the dynamics. The song harkens back to jazz classics of yore, setting a high bar. One of my favorite songs on the album is “The Soldier and the Fiddle.” It’s a seemingly simple introduction, which is centered on Wade’s single repeating note on the bass gently giving way to his glorious solo, which is followed by a solo by Harrison, which adds to the song’s ascent. This Mark Wade composition is said to be inspired by Igor Stravinsky. I can not make that music connection, but I will attest to the fact that “The Soldier and the Fiddle” is a piece that seems to evolve and unfold with every listen. Indeed this album becomes more rewarding after each listen.