Stranger in Paradise (Peter Bernstein album) explained

Stranger in Paradise
Type:	studio
Artist:	Peter Bernstein
Cover:	Stranger-in-paradise.jpg
Released:	2004^[1]
Recorded:	August 24–25, 2003
Studio:	Avatar, New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Label:	Venus
Producer:	Tetsuo Hara, Todd Barkan
Prev Title:	Heart's Content
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Monk
Next Year:	2009

Stranger in Paradise is an album by jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein.

Background

Bernstein and pianist Brad Mehldau had recorded together several times previously, and bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Bill Stewart had played with the guitarist on his Heart's Content album.

Music and recording

Three of the tracks are Bernstein originals. The album contains "elements of hard bop and post-bop, including an intriguing, slightly off-center approach to 'Stranger in Paradise' and an intricate, moving interpretation of 'This Is Always'". Also covered are "a greasy arranging of Babs Gonzales' 'Soul Stirrin' ' and a breezy take of 'That Sunday, That Summer'".

Reception

The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented that this and Bernstein's previous album, Heart's Content, "work at every level".

Track listing

1. "Venus Blues" (Bernstein)
2. "Stranger in Paradise" (Alexander Borodin, George Forrest, Robert Wright)
3. "Luiza" (Antônio Carlos Jobim)
4. "How Little We Know" (Springer)
5. "Bobblehead" (Bernstein)
6. "Just a Thought" (Bernstein)
7. "This Is Always" (Harry Warren)
8. "Soul Stirrin'" (Babs Gonzales)
9. "That Sunday, That Summer" (Joe Sherman, George David Weiss)
10. "Autumn Nocturne" (Josef Myrow)

Personnel

• Peter Bernstein – guitar
• Brad Mehldau – piano
• Larry Grenadier – bass
• Bill Stewart – drums

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dryden. Ken. Stranger in Paradise. AllMusic. 28 January 2018.