Another year, another exquisite homecoming outing by the New York based Steve Cardenas. There’s little to be said about the guitarist’s appearance at Westport Coffee House on Thursday, July 24, that hasn’t been previously cited on numerous occasions at Plastic Sax. As usual, bassist Forest Stewart and drummer Brian Steever were ideal accompanists. The blend of original material and covers was characteristically impeccable. And Cardenas’ deceptively disruptive approach- flouting convention without causing ripples- never ceases to amaze. Still waters in the form of the astonishing Cardenas continue to run deep.
First set: Tears Inside (Ornette Coleman); Newer Normal Waltz (Forest Stewart); Blue Language (Steve Cardenas); How Deep Is the Ocean? (Irving Berlin); Reflector (Steve Cardenas); Down There (Forest Stewart)
Second set: Wail (Bud Powell); House of Jade (Wayne Shorter); Everything I'm Not (Forest Stewart) with Stan Kessler; New Moon (Steve Cardenas) with Stan Kessler; Ida Lupino (Carla Bley); Ladies In Mercedes (Steve Swallow)
Set list assistance courtesy of P.F.