Lyle Mays Quartet / Sweden 11.16.1993 (Soundboard Edition)

This is a soundboard recording from the Lyle Mays Quartet’s 1993 Nordic tour, capturing their performance at Club Fasching in Stockholm on November 16. The group features Bob Sheppard—a musician highly sought after by many legends—in a prominent role. Sheppard’s technical prowess, sense of rhythm, and melodic sensibility are all superb; even on the fastest tunes, he navigates freely and inventively within the rhythmic framework, delivering a performance that deeply moves the audience and leaves a lasting, pleasant impression. Yet, the playing that truly commands one’s attention is that of the master bassist Marc Johnson. Johnson, who served as the final regular bassist for the legendary Bill Evans Trio, was hailed by Evans himself as the “number one bassist I’ve ever played with”—surpassing even the likes of Scott LaFaro and Eddie Gomez. Transcending the distinction between lead and rhythm instruments, his playing is truly unique; he anchors the bottom end for the entire ensemble while simultaneously drawing out the best performances from his fellow musicians. LYLE MAYS QUARTET / CLUB FASCHING 1993 1. Hard Eights 2. Close To Home 3. Either Ornette 4. Fictionary Lyle Mays (p) Bob Sheppard (ss, ts) Marc Johnson (b) Mark Walker (dr)