Well, if the highest compliment you can say of a jazz soloist is that “he told a story,” then honky tonking singer songwriter Billy Joe Shaver is up there with Lester Young. Performing and answering questions in regards to his…
Month: August 2014
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lili Boniche: Tresors de la musique judeo-arabe
Here’s a style I’m pretty sure you don’t have a major collection of: Arab-Andalusian music. Algerian singer Lili Boniche (1921-2008) was one of the few gents to mix Jewish Sephardic music with traditional Arabic influences and make it bridge both…
Innova-ations…David MacBride: A Special Light, Guy Barash: Facts About Water
Minnesota-based Innova Records specializes in adventurous modern music, mixing left of center jazz with modern classical and even some festive folk and electronics at times. Here are two of their latest releases. Pianist/composer David McBride mixes modern ambient sounds with…
Lori Carsillo: Sugar and Smoke
Some singers deliver sounds, others, like Lori Carsillo give out images. Her voice is kind of a cool mix between Blossom Dearie and Astrud Gilberto; she lures you in as she gently holds back with her less-is –more dry ice…
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: The Offense of the Drum
I’m sure pianist/music director Arturo O’Farrill isn’t referring to the Baptist Church I grew up in when he talks about The Offense of the Drum on this latest release. In fact, what O’Farrill accomplishes on this ambitious release is to…
Brooklyn’s Best…Gianni Gagliardi: Nomadic Nature, Rob Garcia 4: The Passion of Color, John Chin: Undercover
Yes, the town that gave us Eubie Blake, Aaron Copeland, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth and Gil Hodges now has a thriving jazz scene, and for some years even its own label. Here are the three latest from Brooklyn Jazz Underground…
Rebirth Brass Band: Move Your Body
Only in New Orleans does the spiritual meet with the secular with no one batting an eye. The celebrative horn team and marching drums feels just as comfy praising the Lord on “Lord, Lord, Lord, You’ve Sure Been Good to…
Lucky Peterson: The Son of a Bluesman
Singing, playing guitar and piano, Lucky Peterson gives tribute to his own blues playing father on this bona fide smoker of a session. His voice has a snarl and growl to it that tells you he’s been around the block…
ITALY REVISITS THE 60’S…Gaetano Partipilo: Besides, Andrea Balducci: Bloom
The original Italian Renaissance began when the writings of ancient Greece were rediscovered. Maybe someone is hoping that the revisitation of 60s music can be the 21st Century equivalent. Here are a couple albums dedicated to the era of Shark…
David Weiss: When Words Fail
Trumpeter David Weiss has been building an impressive catalogue lately. Here, he re-assembles his sextet of Marcus Strickland/ts, Myron Walden/as, Xavier Davis/p, Dwayne Burno/b and EJ Strickland/dr for a cooking collection of forward looking post bop pieces. Weiss’ tone is…