Review: Chris Bergson – East River Blues
Chris Bergson – East River Blues
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Continental Record Services
Release: 2026
Text: Bert van Kessel
Thirty years ago Chris Bergson moved to New York. At the Manhattan Acadamy of Music he became a schooled jazz guitarist. He then developed a profound love of the blues.
On this album he pays hommage to the jazz and blues music in the Big Apple and he successfully displays both the blues and the jazz elements in his immense skills the jazz tracks on this album are definitely characterized by a striking Blue Note atmosphere,reminiscent of Grant Green, Lou Donaldson and Herbie Hancock, featuring its familiar delicate refinement. He has opted for a trio setting with two greats of the jazz scene as his rhythm section: Larry Grenadier on bass and Herlin Riley on drums provide solid, empathetic support. Master saxophonist Jay Collins shines on three tracks.
The album’s opening cut is a down-and-dirty slow blues, Muddy Waters’ Mean Disposition, it gets a passionate rendition and Bergson’s gruff vocals do Muddy Waters justice. The top-notch, restrained soloing receives refined accompaniment from the amazing rhythm section. It is followed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s musical classic Little Girl Blue of which you may have heard famous versions By Nina Simone or Janis Joplin. Bergson’s smoke-infused vocals remind us of the great Ray Charles.
The next three tracks are Bergson originals. The title track is a delicately swinging instrumental with Bergson amply displaying his amazing sense of tone and melody. There is astonishing interplay between his guitar and Jay Collins’ sax. The impeccable guitar takes us seamlessly into another instrumntal, the jazz waltz Sad Strains with both Grenadier and Riley excelling on bass and drums respectively. The third Bergson contribution is Kindless Villain,This infectious blues shuffle is a co-write with his wife. With more than convincing vocals an angry Chris Bergson confronts his cheating partner.
Next up is the Ray Charles contribution What Would I do Without You, consisting of equal parts blues, jazz and soul. The impressive guitar solos are impeccable.And so is the sax solo by Jay Collins.
The album’s closing track is the Herbie Hancock classic Driftin’ which gets a truly convincing rendition; the interplay between guitar and saxophone again is superb, with great support from Riley’s inventive drumming. Bergson’s exquisite soloing takes the term subtlety to another level. It is a fitting exclamation mark for the amazing jazztracks that Chris Bergson has treated us to.
The seven tracks of this excellent album clock in at just over 33 minutes and what a shame that is; I would have loved to listen to these fantastic musicians a lot longer.
Tracks:
01. Mean Disposition
02. Little Girl Blue
03. East River Blues
04. Sad Strains
05. Kindless Villain
06. What Would I Do Without You
07. Driftin’
Chris Bergson – guitar, vocals
Larry Grenadier – bass
Herlin Riley – drums
Jay Collins – tenor sax (tracks 3, 6, 7)
Website: http://www.chrisbergson.com