Randy Crawford & Joe Sample | Live

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Live (PRA) By A. Scott Galloway

This concert CD by the venerable duo of old friends, singer Randy Crawford and pianist Joe Sample, really should have been billed as “Randy Crawford with The Joe Sample Trio.” Sample’s presence throughout the disc can best be summed up as understated. He truly defers focus to Crawford who is always a delight as her style is so distinctive no matter what she sings. But even in the stellar company of renowned drummer Steve Gadd and the solid work of Joe’s son Nicklas Sample on upright bass, Joe comes off more as an accompanist than a co-leader that would be delivering playing field leveling solos.

The material selected and performed on the 11 numbers (recorded in concert halls throughout Europe in December 2008) consistently has a relaxed feel, leaving you to just get lost in the punctuated and animated delivery of Crawford’s one of a kind instrument. She is most charming on the chestnut “Me, Myself and I” and her self-composed gem stone “Almaz.”

A. Scott Galloway
Music Editor
The Urban Music Scene