Scott Hamilton With Strings

Tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton was so consistent on his many albums for Concord that none are throwaways. This particular one, though, is of lesser interest than most. Hamilton is backed by a 20-piece string section arranged by pianist Alan Broadbent, and largely sticks to slow ballads. His tone on tenor is typically beautiful and the music is quite tasteful, but it lacks much variety. No surprises occur in the arrangements (everything is pretty) and, although there is some double-timing, Hamilton's playing is consistently lyrical and a bit lazy, as if shy to shake up the proceedings. This CD is best experienced in small doses for, if played all the way through, the results are a bit sleepy and rather predictable.