Saxophonist Tommy Smith's 'Alone at Last' presentation of saxophones, poetry, and recorded sounds has its own distinctive beauty. Over a series of 35 concerts he has developed it into an utterly assured collage of spontaneous invention, mirthful readings, daunting words, and haunting themes whose emotional impact far outweighs its ably handled technical feats. Although the basic concept for this album is built around solo saxophone, Smith is rarely "alone". His carefully structured sets incorporate the voice of Edwin Morgan reciting poetry, a battery of sounds, from instrumental accompaniments (with his US quartet featuring Kenny Barron) to the breaking of waves. He worked jazz standards and folk melodies into this tapestry, alongside his own compositions and improvisations. He uses his pedal-triggered box of electronics to add fascinating echo and harmonising effects, turning his keening tenor saxophone into a choir, but never falls into the trap of allowing the technology to dominate the music. Recorded New York, Norway & Scotland 2000, 2001, 2002 Personnel: Tommy Smith (soprano & tenor saxophones), Edwin Morgan (poetry), Groven Myhren (soprano vocal), Steve Hamilton (synth, samples), Aidan O'Donnell (bass), John Blease (drums, gongs, Poinciana pod) Track 1: Kenny Barron (piano), James Genus (bass), Clarence Penn (drums)