Tim Cummiskey CD review:
Redeeming the Time

For his second recording, Columbus guitarist Tim Cummiskey recruited Hammond B3 master Hank Marr and Marr’s favorite drummer Jim Rupp. Cummiskey, a professor of guitar at Ohio State University, belings to the fast-picking school of guitarists, while Marr is laidback and soulful.

The combination works. The CD leads off with Sam Jones’ “Unit 7,” written for Wes Montgomery. Cummiskey romps through the changes with Marr comping along behind. Then Marr takes one of his patented “soul-os,” after which Marr and Cummiskey take turns trading fours with Rupp. This is followed by the ballad, “Darn That Dream.” Cummiskey takes an intricate solo and Marr comps behind him again and then follows with his own solo. Although many people think the organ is just for playing the blues and rocking out, it is also well suited to the ballad style.

Wayne Shorter’s “Black Nile” brings the tempo back up and Rupp gets a short solo. Some drummers are better timekeepers, some are good at fours and others do their best work on solos. Rupp does it all well — nothing flashy but he’s always there for whatever is needed. “Hank’s Riff” is basically a head arrangement, beginning and ending with a call and response from guitar to organ. In between, it’s straight blues. Jobim’s “How Insensitive” is taken at a regular bossa nova beat.

Joe Henderson’s “Inner Urge” is taken up-tempo with organ, guitar and drum solos in that order. Branislav Kaper’s “Invitation” is played pretty straight, then Cummiskey double-times his solo very effectively on Bill Evans’ “Time Remembered.” Hank Mobley’s classic “This I Dig of You” is taken at the original pace, and the CD closes with an original ballad by Cummiskey, “Fever Dream.”

The guitar has many facets and Cummiskey has been known as one of the best at bringing them all out in a performance as he does here. This CD is an excellent showcase of his many talents. You can check out his web site at www.tc7string.com for more about him and how to purchase the recording. The title, by the way, comes from the Bible — Eph. 5:16 “Redeeming the time because the days are evil.” Musically, Cummiskey and cohorts redeem the time well.

— Don Henke