Vivid Personnel: avid Braid, piano, John Macleod, Flugelhorn, Mike Murley, Saxaphone, Gene Smith, trombone, Stevie Wallace, bass, Terry Clarke, drums. Tracks: Reverence; Seraphim; Mister Wallace; The Golden Years; The Music Room; The Call; For JM; What is This?

This well crafted, creative music played “live” in concert! You can really learn about a musician’s talent when they record in this fashion. I can’t put this disc away, I love the originality of Braids compositions. They give me an abundance of joy when I listen. I wish more musicians could express the happiness of life, which it has so much to offer. It’s refreshing, original and, my big criteria---fun!!! You can tell the musicians are having fun, you can here the dialogue on stage coming through, and the audience responds to this very well.

Besides the great compositions, there are some very nice improvisational moments. Check out Mike Murley on the opening track. Whew!!! Burnin’!! Great playing. I love John Macleod throughout this disc. He won’t blow you away with the technical things, but who cares!! His musicality is awesome. He has enough technique to make these wonderful improvisational statements! Check out John playing on track two, he plays the waltz statement beautifully, with space and thoughtfulness. I love players who can play very harmonically rich, but yet phrase with intelligence. John can do this. He later rips the hide off Braids Golden Years. I wonder if he was influenced by that other great flugelhorn player up there, Guido Basso? There are similarities to my ears.

By the way, Braid plays pretty well himself. Check him out on Golden Years, The Call (great ensemble!), and What is This? This kid is the real deal in my mind.

You’ll love the ensemble on this recording. Everything is arranged so well. The group has a great ensemble sound. Everyone here are great soloists! Which makes Vivid a great listen. If you’re in the Toronto area, look this guy up. You won’t be sorry!!
  For more info: www.davidbraid.com