Time is the great leveller Back in the 1990s, Marshal Crenshaw was the “It” guy of popular rock. He had his ups and downs, and this 1999 album is a reissue of his high water mark. He sings, plays guitars,…
Category: Review
Cory Weeds with Strings: What Is There To Say?
Full toned tenor saxist Cory Weeds melds his working team of Phil Dwyer/p, John Lee/b and Jesse Cahil/dr with a richly texture orchestra on this collection of standards and originals. The strings are used for various settings and emphasis here,…
SWINGING AT ESALEN…Ben Black: Mystery & Wonder
Vocalist Ben Black sings songs of his study and practice of both Zen and Tibetan Buddhism on this collection of eleven meditative and uplifting originals. His voice is a mix of Barry Manilow and Bobby Short, sort of a high…
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…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Eliane Elias (with Chick Corea and Chucho Valdes): Mirror Mirror
Someday, and hopefully soon, jazz fans will appreciate the width, height and depth of pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias. Obviously, jazz musicians do, as this latest album has her in a collection of wondrous duets with either the recently departed Chick Corea…
Carlos Quintero: Caminando
Rich nylon strings flow a law Ottmar Liebert or Lawson Rollins in the hands of Juan Carlos Quintero on this ten song collection of his own material. He’s supported by a team of Joe Rotonid/p, Eddie Resto-Alec Milstein/b and a…
Michael Thomas: Natural Habitat
Impressive and fresh post bop sounds are delivered by Michael Thomas, playing both alto sax and bass clarinet with his ensemble of Julian Shore/p-key, Hans Glawishnig/b and Johnathan Blake/dr on an album of originals. His tone is warm and calming,…
John Vanore & Ron Thomas: Primary Colors BRAIN
John Vanore uses his big toned trumpet and flugelhorn to create some sonic landscapes with Ron Thomas on piano, Rhodes and Yamaha DX-7 for a wide range of musical moods. Except for when Vanore runs the Miles Davis voodoo down…
Trace Adkins@Chumash Casino 07.12.19
Any musician from any genre will tell you that the key to success is to have your own voice and a story to tell. And while he may be a C&W singer from the Texas/Louisiana side of life, Trace Adkins…
The Jazz Bakery Presents: Eric Alexander with Eric Reed Trio @ The Moss Theater 06.29.19
This past weekend at The Moss Theatre was a haven for fans of the tenor sax. On Friday the palates of the avant-garde fans were satiated by the whirling sounds of master David Murray, while on Saturday devotees of big…