Richard Davis - Dear Old Stockholm

Throughout the last few months, I've been on an active quest to hunt down as many Richard Davis albums as possible. Overtime, I've become increasingly intrigued with the legendary bassist and his diverse playing style. Even though he became better known within the jazz community by being featured on hundreds of great jazz recordings, Davis was also a classically trained musician who often played with larger symphonic orchestras. Blending of the two genres and the influence they both played in his own music can fully be heard on his 1972 mind-blowing record The Philosophy Of The Spiritual, an album that finds Davis playing the bass almost purely with a bow. The record has an overall moody, yet powerful and spiritual overtone. One of my favorite tracks is the album's opener "Dear Old Stockholm", which is actually a Swedish folk song that has been performed by many jazz greats including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chet Baker and others. This version of the song really helps capture the overall mood and theme of the entire recording led by Davis' distinguished playing. The track, as well as the entire The Philosophy Of The Spiritual record is just one of the many instances Richard Davis' brilliance is truly on display.

Richard Davis - Dear Old Stockholm