Mike Jones Trio: “Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing?” (2023) CD Review

Mike Jones is a pianist known for his work with Penn & Teller. He has released several albums, including some solo piano work. He certainly stayed busy during the pandemic, making the most of that strange time. His Quarantine! The Complete Pandemic Piano Sessions contains one hundred eighteen tracks. Holy moly! And then he put out a Christmas piano album, Santa Season!, followed by last year’s Some Strings Attached. That album was a trio recording he did with Graham Dechter on guitar and Alex Frank on bass. His new release, Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing?, finds him again in a trio setting, this time with Penn Jillette on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums. Yes, Penn of Penn & Teller is on bass. Mike Jones and Penn Jillette recorded another album together, The Show Before The Show, which was released in 2018. This new album features mostly covers.

You can never go wrong with Gershwin, and opening an album with a Gershwin tune is certainly a good idea. The Mike Jones Trio chooses “‘S Wonderful,” and very quickly things are swinging. The mood is light and cheerful. This track features some completely delightful work on piano. And it turns out Penn Jillette is a talented bass player. Apparently he took up the instrument at the age of 48, so he’s had a couple of decades of experience on it, and he is swinging with the pros here, even delivering a fun lead in the track’s second half. This is a strong and lively rendition, a great start to this album. The fun continues with the trio’s rendition of “Doxy,” a tune composed by Sonny Rollins. These guys are obviously having a good time, and the music sounds bright and joyful, just the kind of thing to raise your spirits and maybe get your hips shaking. The music itself seems to be dancing at times. Penn Jillette delivers another good bass lead, but it is that drum solo that really makes this track stand out for me. Jeff Hamilton, as you likely know, is a fantastic drummer with decades of experience, starting in the 1970s when he played with Monty Alexander and then as a member of The L.A. 4. He’s also played with Rosemary Clooney and Natalie Cole, though he is probably most known for his work with Diana Krall. It’s always a treat to hear his work

The trio delivers a good rendition of “What A Difference A Day Makes,” which is also sometimes recorded under the title “What A Difference A Day Made.” Again, Mike Jones is dancing along the piano keys, his playing seeming designed to make us feel good. And it does. What a difference good music makes. This is a cheerful, spirited version, and it features a cool bass lead. Then from the start of the trio’s version of “The Girl From Ipanema” Penn takes charge, his bass leading us into the song, delivering the familiar melody, and doing a great job. What a wonderful approach to this song. I like how this trio somehow makes this song feel fresh again. This track features some interesting drum work as well, and it has a gentle, sweet ending. That’s followed by “Watch What Happens,” a song from The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg. It announces itself in a strong way in that brief intro, with the drum work, before then settling into a good groove. There is some delicious piano work, toward the end becoming rather beautiful, as it takes on more power. Then some pretty work on piano eases us into “On Green Dolphin Street,” another piece that comes from a movie, this time the 1947 film Green Dolphin Street. Here we get another good lead on bass. I also love the drum solo toward the end of the track.

The trio slows things down for “You’ve Changed,” a song written by Carl Fischer and Bill Carey, and originally recorded by Harry James And His Orchestra. These guys deliver a beautiful and thoughtful rendition. I just want to lose myself in Mike Jones’ piano work here. They pick up the tempo again for “Perdido,” another to get you tapping your toes. This track grooves and swings, and on this one, Jeff Hamilton gets to solo early on, in the first minute in fact. And there is more wonderful work on drums throughout the track. This track also features some hopping work on piano. That’s followed by the medley of “I’ll Close My Eyes” and “Close Your Eyes,” performed solo by Mike Jones. He gives us some beautiful, moving work, and if you close your eyes, you’ll find yourself immersed in gentle memories. His playing becomes livelier toward the end. Then there is a good deal of pep to the trio’s rendition of “Gone With The Wind,” which features a good rhythm. The album concludes with its sole original composition, “Blues For Burns,” a piece dedicated to Thomas Burns, founder of Capri Records. This is another lively, hopping number, another highlight of the disc, a tune to leave you in a good mood.

CD Track List

1. ‘S Wonderful
2. Doxy
3. What A Difference A Day Makes
4. The Girl From Ipanema
5. Watch What Happens
6. On Green Dolphin Street
7. You’ve Changed
8. Perdido
9. Medley: I’ll Close My Eyes/Close Your Eyes
10. Gone With The Wind
11. Blues For Burns

Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing? was released on August 18, 2023 on Capri Records.