"Goin' Wes" CD Review
by MARK AMENTT
Jazz Improv's New York Jazz Guide - July, 2006

   Adding to the long list of fine artists from the West Coast, Ken Song creates a mosaic of tasty chops and well-crafted presentations on his premier effort. What enhances Ken's mastery of his instrument is the wonderful and creative play by his sidemen - Llew Mathews on piano, Luther Hughes on bass, and Paul Kreibich on the drums. These are all well-respected artists that have been a part of the West Coast jazz scene for a number of years. This foundation of talent gives Song the support needed to present an exceptional performance.

   Song covers a few well-known standards - "In a Mellow Tone," "Like Someone in Love," "Honeysuckle Rose," and the wonderful Wes Montgomery composition, "West Coast Blues." Along with these are some other compositions that may not be as well known - "Segment," "Vierd Blues," "Recado Bossa Nova," and "Look for the Silver Lining." Song rounds out the disc with an original composition, "Goin' Wes," which also happens to be the album's title track. This tune pays homage to the unmistakable artistry of Wes Montgomery. Ken captures the unmistakable technical and tonal aspects of Montgomery's playing. The composition itself has the feel and warmth of a tune written "back in the day." This reviewer can only hope that future compositions from Song will be as inviting.

   The album has a continuity that I found refreshing. Whether unwittingly or not, the disc takes you through a progression of tunes where Song can be heard maturing and finding his voice. In the first half of the disc, I found myself hoping to hear a different take on some of the tunes. However, I began to hear Song put his individual artistic stamp on the tunes as the disc went on. His interpretation of "Like Someone in Love" is very creative and well-presented. It seems ironic that the album begins with a Charlie Parker composition from the late 1940's, "Segment," and then proceeds to end with Song's own "Goin' Wes." Goin' Wes clearly shows Song to be an artist with the goods to thrive in this highly competitive jazz world. Expect to hear more from him in the future.

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