Turn Up The Quiet - John Stein / Ron Gill

Vocalist Ron Gill joins guitarist John Stein, as they pair up on "Turn Up The Quiet," recorded at WGBH Radio in Boston in the spring of 2009.

Longtime Downbeat Magazine scribe Fred Bouchard writes "When we need to move on from too much talk (as composer Ivan Lins tells us in his tune Love Dance), there's nothing like quiet music and a warming lyric to shush up our noisemakers (inside and outside) and educe romantic notions from musicians and listeners alike. Ron Gill and John Stein find their love of fine songs turn them to dancing with words, lofting pretty chords, and capturing passionate ideas about togetherness. Collaboration Ð so often a tricky treat, a windy street they negotiate openhandedly with wit and diplomacy."

WCS says This a gem of a recording with fourteen expertly crafted tracks, thirteen distinctive standards and one original that must be heard! Stein's subtle guitar playing and Gill's perfectly executed vocals, along with the addition of Gilad Barkan on piano, is a collaboration that will be enjoyed over and over!

PERSONNEL
John Stein - guitar, acoustic bass
Ron Gill - vocals
Gilad Barkan - piano

TRACKS
1. A Weaver of Dreams
2. Be My All
3. Detour Ahead
4. My Flaming Heart
5. Love Dance
6. Our Love Will See Us Through
7. Medley: If It's Magic/Too Shy To Say
8. Medley: Something In Your Smile/I'll Be Easy To Find
9. So This Is Love
10. Gentle Rain
11. In A Sentimental Mood
12. My Foolish Heart
13. When I Fall In Love
14. Wonder Why
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Inspired collaboration spotlights the simpatico work of intimate jazz singer Ron Gill and acclaimed guitarist John Stein

Taking a brief break from his acclaimed international quartet after Raising the Roof which jumped an impressive 43 spots on the JazzWeek radio chart and peaked at #2, jazz guitarist John Stein has chosen to spend a little quality time with the wonderful jazz vocalist and well-known jazz radio host, Ron Gill. This inspired partnership, enhanced by the presence of pianist Gilad Barkan, plays the material on their new recording Turn Up The Quiet.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Antonio Oliart at WGBH Radio Studios in Boston, Turn Up The Quiet, illuminates the inspiration behind their longtime musical friendship while also emphasizing each musician's strengths. Stein's exquisite taste and sensitivity really shines in the spare instrumental context of voice and guitar, and his accompaniment brims with subtlety and nuance. In addition, Stein proves to be a fine acoustic bassist, with a warm flexible sound and rock solid rhythm -- able to swing the music without the aid of a drummer on the songs on which talented pianist Gilad Barkan's presence makes the group a trio.

For his part, Gill adapts beautifully to Stein's subtlety with a sensitivity of his own. His hushed, vocal romanticism makes a brilliant couplet to Stein's accompaniment, especially on album highlights like Ellington's ethereal love song "In a Sentimental Mood," the dark and haunting "My Flaming Heart," the wry irony of "Detour Ahead," and the closing Sammy Cahn-composition "Wonder Why." The repertoire here is lovely, but challenging, with technical dexterity combined with lofty chord changes, colorful word play, and enduring melody. Some of the songs are nearly forgotten gems, unearthed by Ron's lifetime study of jazz vocal material. Even the more familiar tunes radiate a quiet power through the intimate and sincere treatment John and Ron have fashioned for them.

"There are things I've learned to expect when I collaborate with Ron Gill," writes Stein in the liners to Turn Up The Quiet. "First, the repertoire will be challenging and distinctive ... Second, his concept for each song will be different and utterly personal. When you listen to Ron he's right there: he looks you in the face, and sings to you directly from the heart."

Though the concept of the album came from Stein, the project is a genuine, down-the-middle collaboration. Their arrangements are balanced and substantive; as both artists search for ways to accommodate the other. In this way, Turn Up The Quiet, is like Gill's own voice and Stein's stellar guitar, music that comes straight from the heart.