As many of you may know, the 1959 movie Black Orpheus was one of the major means of introducing Brazilian music and samba to American ears. Many of the tunes from the film (which is simply a Brazilian version of…
Author: George W. Harris
Robben Ford: Bringing It Back Home
Guitarist Robben Ford has been in a plethora of musical environments, ranging from his own band The Yellowjackets to touring with Miles Davis to even recording stints with George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. He’s got a loyal following in LA,…
Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo: Melody Magic
It’s guys like Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo that made me give up the guitar and switch to the clarinet and sax. I just knew I would never be able to capture on strings that exotic Reinhardt gypsy swing, so…
“Killer” Ray Appleton: Naptown Legacy
Drummer Ray “Killer” Appletown takes us to one of the under appreciated centers of jazz, namely Indianapolis, home of such jazz greats as Freddie Hubbard, Wes and Monk Montgomer, JJ Johnson and Mel Rhyne. Not sure why Michael Jackson wasn’t…
Jane Monheit: The Heart of the Matter
For my money, Jane Monheit is one of the best sounding vocalists around. She’s got the clearest sound, the strongest range, and can make you feel a lyric. Unabashedly sentimental and romantic, she exudes warmth when she tackles a song,…
Brad Goode: Chicago Red
Trumpeter/composer Brad Goode puts together a disc which is quite forward thinking, yet still accessible. Teamed with Bill Kopper/g-sit, Jeff Jenkins/key, Bijoux Barbosa/eb, Paa Kow/dr and Rony Barrak/perc, Goode uses his dark toned trumpet in a variety of settings. A…
Mark Winkler: The Laura Nyro Project
If you have any of his highly hip releases, you know that Mark Winkler knows how to write as well as sing a tune. This time around, he’s put his pen down and did some clever detective work by investigating…
New York Voices: Live
Judging from 3000 miles away, it’s difficult to appreciate the longevity of the New York voices, but they’ve been together now for 25 years, no small accomplishment by ANY standards. This latest release from Koln, Germany features the voices of…
Halle & The Jilt: Three Roads Home
Vocalist/composer Halle Petro fronts a bluesy/rock team of Michael Gomez/g, Tim Luntzel/b and Jon Wert through a collection of material that delivers rootsy music not dissimilar to what Bonnie Raitt used to deliver. Petro has an attractively husky voice with…
Thom Chacon: Thom Chacon
I used to really like Country and Western when it was performed like guys that actually lived a life, not like 99% of the present artists that are total posers and wouldn’t know how to ride a horse, drive a…