In jazz, the music is supposed to tell a story; ditto for lyrics to The Great American Songbook. I think that’s what I like about Bluegrass-this band right here, Jamie Booher/b, Joe Booher/mandolin, Josh Miller/banjo-g, Im Shelton/g and Jim VanCleve/fiddle,…
Category: Reviews
Walt Weiskopf Quartet: Live
Tenor saxist Walt Weiskopf briought a top notch team to the University of South Carolina for an impressive gig back on April 8, 2008. The rhythm team of Renee Rosnes/p, Paul Gill/b and Tony Reedus/dr is flexible and veers towards…
Dan Weiss: Jhaptal Drumset Solo
The title is a bit of a misnomer, as on first glance, you’re probably going to think that this release by drummer Dan Weiss is simply one guy “going for it.” Instead, Weiss teams up with guitarist Miles Okazaki and…
Benny Green: Source
WHERE HAS THIS GUY BEEN?!? At one time, pianist Benny Green was one of THE up and coming pianists. He’d had stints with Woody Shaw, Betty Carter and Art Blakey before putting out some impressive discs of his own, most…
Fred Ho: Deadly She-Wolf Assassin At Armageddon! /Momma’s Song
Well, Fred Ho is nothing if not innovative. The bari sax/bandleader/composer has put out some thrilling releases, and this one, a soundtrack/tone poem with a small band, is just as exciting. The team of Ho, Masaur Koga/as, Art Hirahara/p-key, Wesley…
Chemical Clock: Chemical Clock
There’s a scene in the classic movie The Great Escape, when Donald Pleasance and James Garner are drinking some home made moonshine. They imbibe a sip, and Garner, after gasping, asks “What is THAT?!?” to which understates, “I know what…
Coleman Hawkins: Classic Coleman Hawkins Sessions 1922-1947
If you’ve ever listened to a song that had a tenor sax solo in it, just remember that you probably wouldn’t be hearing it unless the guy featured on this wonderful 8 disc limited edition boxed set by Mosaic Records…
Pat Metheny: Unity Band
One of the great things about Pat Metheny is that all of his releases seem to be logical conclusions to his previous ones. After releasing a solo recording since his Orchestrion opus, he now combines those two ideas with his…
Stan Kenton: Artistry In Rhythm: Portrait Of A Jazz Legend
In celebration of what would have been bandleader Stan Kenton’s 100th birthday, Jazzed Media has released an intriguing and educational DVD documentary on the life, music and vision of the extraordinarily visionary and controversial band leader Stan Kenton. In two…
Andre’ Vasconcellos: 2
I’m always impressed by a release by a leader who puts out music where you can’t tell which musician is in charge. In other words, everyone on this disc gets a chance go shine, and there are no glory hogs…