So Many Lovely Things features pianist Kenny Barron backed by a terrific rhythm section comprising legendary drummer Ben Riley, known for his work with Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins, and respected session bassist Ray Drummond. Recorded in August 1995 at the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, UK, the performance was captured by festival director Jed Williams and remained in his private collection until 2024. Recently released by Elemental Music, the album is another in a steady stream of archival recordings championed by “Jazz Detective” producer Zev Feldman.
While I do not normally use CDs as the primary point of reference for a new-release review, the performances here are particularly terrific and the sound quality is excellent, making this a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Truth be told, it was also the only format the label sent me, so I really had to like the music to pursue the review.
Unlike many live recordings commonly found online and in stores these days, So Many Lovely Things was officially licensed and approved by Mr. Barron and his management, helping ensure that the artists and their estates receive their proper compensation when you purchase the set. The 2CD edition is available for $21.18 at Amazon, and the 2LP 180-gram vinyl currently sells for $45.49 at Amazon.
So Many Lovely Things was remixed and restored by Marc Doutrepont, while the vinyl lacquers were mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. The 2LP set was pressed by GZ Media in Loděnice, Czech Republic.
The recording feels nicely balanced, with Barron front and center, buoyed sweetly by Riley and Drummond. One could almost mistake it for a mono recording, although the cymbals and other percussive elements are presented with a more distinctly stereophonic spread.
Extensive liner notes by jazz journalist and historian Ted Panken explain the history of the recordings and how the trio evolved over time.
In the album’s official press materials, a quote from Mr. Barron affirms the strength of the trio: “I can’t recall a sour moment. I loved the way Ray played—solid, with great time and personality. The way he and Ben grooved together was perfect. If this concert turned into something special, it happened organically. When momentum builds, it’s because of everyone’s contribution. It was a group effort.”
Indeed, there are plenty of special moments, including the trio’s performance of Monk’s “Ask Me Now,” which stretches across 12 minutes of tastefully measured introspection. It hints at the composer’s presence while remaining entirely Barron’s interpretation. Other favorites include a playful reading of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic show tune “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” from Oklahoma!, and a beautiful rendition of Ray Noble’s torch standard “The Very Thought of You.”
I could go on but I think you get the idea this is a special show worth checking out. Again, the 2CD set is just $21.18 at Amazon so the price of entry is very reasonable.
Our Ratings
★★★★★★★★★★ Music
★★★★★★★★★★ Sound Quality
Where to buy:
- 2CD – $21.18 at Amazon
- 2LP – $45.49 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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- Podcast: Sleuthing RSD 2026 With Zev Feldman, “The Jazz Detective”
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