Greener Than Blue

Pianist Claire Ritter's set has 17 originals (16 by her) that include lighthearted rags, bluish numbers, impressionistic pieces, and songs influenced by nature. The selections are all quite brief (only two are over four minutes and most are under three), which can be a bit frustrating because some of the songs could have been performed creatively for a much longer period of time. That reservation aside, the music always holds one's interest and is full of rich melodies, gradual changes of mood, and inventive yet often melodic playing. Due to Ritter's fine two-handed playing, the many reeds of Stan Strickland, and the colorful percussion of Bob Weiner, one never misses the bass. Well worth checking out despite the truncated nature of some of the music.