LA based pianist made a successful living as a sideman for the likes of Les Paul, Tommy Dorsey, but especially Ella Fitzgerald for a multi-decade run before finally leaving us in 2013. He did put out a handful of albums…
Month: November 2014
BLUES IN BLACK AND WHITE…Eric Bibb: Blues People, Rory Gallagher: Irish Tour ’74 Deluxe
The blues come in many hues, acoustic, electric, American, Irish, English, black and white. Here are two releases that cover part of the waterfront. Eric Bibb is part of the acoustic blues revivalist these days, and this latest release is…
DO YOU REALLY WANT THE BLUES?!?!? Billy Boy Arnold: The Blues Soul Of, Rory Block: Hard Luck Child
I traveled to France last year to tour various wineries, and was amazed to find that the vineyards have never been irrigated. Their only water supply is by the yearly rain. How do they survive? The roots are hundreds of…
A PAIR OF FREES…Ivo Perelman & Karl Berger: Reverie, Lukas Ligeti & Thollem McDonas: Imaginary Images
It takes two to tango, and it takes two to make sparks fly on outside jazz that can also look in. Tenor saxist Ivo Perelman teams up with pianist Karl Berger for six free form improvisations that mix highly lyrical…
Branford Marsalis: In My Solitude-Live at Grace Cathedral
When he first began his solo career about 30 years ago (I remember when he was still with his brother in Art Blakey’s band. I’m getting OLD!) Branford Marsalis put out a gorgeous collection of Romances for Saxophone that teamed…
WHO SOUNDS BETTER ON TENOR? Houston Person: The Melody Lingers On
Every generation has a sax player who has a tone that everyone else dreams of. From Ben Webster to Lester Young to Stan Getz to Stanley Turrentine…ah don’t you just sigh thinking about those tenors? Today, the guy with the…
Alabama & Friends: At the Ryman
Most country music these days is nothing but pretty boys playing rock with a few twangs in them and singing about beer, chicks in tight jeans, and American made trucks. Alabama, which still boasts Jeff Cook/g-f-voc, Teddy Gentry/b-voc and Randy…
LOOK AT ME…Johnny Mathis: The Complete Global Albums Collection
If you don’t have a handful of Johnny Mathis tunes buzzing around your head, you’re life is a bit sadder for the fact. He was THE soft and soulful crooner in the 60s, with tunes like “Chances Are” and “Misty”…
WONDERS FROM BRAZIL…Paul Padilha: Songs of a Dollar Store Millionaire
The actual title on the cover of this album is in Portuguese, and it reads “Na Lojinha de Eu Me Sinot Millionario.” What you get here is a vocalist with a rich, earthy and masculine voice, and he mixes it…
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****Michael Spiro: Ritmos Unidos, Various Artists: Salsa De La Bahia
Call it “Salsa,” “Latin” or “Afro Cuban,” just keep playing it! Here are two releases from Patois Records that will liven up any party, or at least make you cruise the boulevard with a little extra pride. Percussionist Michael Spiro…