In this time of lockdowns, vax mandates, face coverings, inflation and whatever you want to add, nothing is needed more than a reason for hope, and Take 6 helped the packed house at The Smothers Theatre refocus on what is…
Month: December 2021
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Ensemble Edge: Dimma-A Tribute to Jan Johansson
Swedish pianist/composer Jan Johansson (1931-1968) was adept at mixing traditional folk tones and jazz into a rich and unique atmosphere. Conducted by Mathias Skaarup Sorensen, 16 singers from Ensemble Edge join with Calle Brickman/p, Karmen Roivassepp/voc, Matthias Flemming Retri/b, Andreas…
AND IF THAT AIN’T COUNTRY… Billy Joe Shaver & Kinky Friedman: Live Down Under
If you think today’s country is pale and stale, you’re gonna want to look for this one by a pair of guys where are/were the real deal. Recently departed Billy Joe Shaver, known for writing a ton of “outlaw” songs…
WHEN THE MOST POPULAR MUSIC WAS ALSO THE BEST…The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra: The Hits Collection 1935-58
There are few big bands that actually define the “Swing Era”, but Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra has to be in the first listing. Not only was his band able to deliver pop hits to serve as a soundtrack for the Depression…
BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARIST? Romero Lubambo & Rafael Piccolotto Chamber Orchestra: Live at Dizzy’s Lincoln Center New York City
I’ve seen guitarist Romero Lubambo in a variety of settings, usually accompanying vocalist Luciana Souza, and he’s got to be the most sublime and lyrical acoustic guitarist of our days. He plays a bit of electric guitar as well, showing…
IF CHARLES BROWN WERE FEMALE…Hadda Brooks: Out of the Blue-The Singles & Albums Collection 1945-53
If there is a sexism in jazz and R&B (and there surely is/was), it is shown by the fact that pianist/vocalist Hadda Brooks is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Ray Charles, Amos Milburn, Charles Brown or early Nat…
Andrew Boudreau-Simon Willson-Vicente Hansen: Family Plan
Andrew Boudreau plays piano and keyboards, Simon Willson is on the double bass and Vicente Hansen hits the drums on these eleven originals. The moods range from a acid rock headache of “Celebratory” to multiple imitations of The Bad Plus…
Brent Fischer Orchestra: Pictures at an Exhibition
Conductor, arranger and producer Brent Fischer literally takes the baton from his noted father Clare Fischer on this ambitious interpretation of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition”. There have been many attempts to put new wine into these wineskins, even by…
Tommy Womack: I Thought I Was Fine
Tommy Womack sings and plays guitar with Jonathan Bright/dr-g-g-key-voc and Lisa Oliver Gray/voc on a collection of originals and a couple covers. The style is a mix of 70s New Wave/Punk with a dash of 60s Mercy Beat and rich…
70 YEAR RETURN…The Count Basie Orchestra: Live At Birdland
Back in 1961, Count Basie recorded one of his most famous and festive concert albums, Basie In Birdland, which had The Count with his revitalized Atomic Band. Obviously, no one from that group is still around, but if there’s a…