One of my biggest musical regrets is that passed on my chances to see Chet Baker in the late 70s and early 80s. I figured, “C’mon-he’s totally fried and past his prime” as I thought his chops were long gone.…
Category: Ringer of the Week
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Nicolas Meier World Group: Magnificent
This is about the third album that I’ve reviewed by Jeff Beck alumnus and guitarist Nicolas Meier, and it might be his most impressive yet. It’s definitely the most ambitious, since it has 3 discs worth of music. The three…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Damia’ Timoner: Jerry’s Smilin’-A Guitar Tribute to the Grateful Dead
I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Grateful Dead (sorry, everyone!), but Spain-based guitarist Damia’ Timoner makes me want to become one. The nylon stringer takes the Dead songbook (mostly form Jerry Garcia’s pen) and gives gorgeous and personal…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE REAL RAINBOW BRIDGE! Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live In Maui
This two disc/Blu-Ray of Jimi Hendrix’s Experience with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox is part of setting the musical record straight. A handful of the tunes from Hendrix’s famous two 1970 concerts in Maui were on the posthumous…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lee Konitz: Leewise
This release is the latest of a series from Storyville that captures jazz legends in concert from the 1990s. This one has alto saxist Lee Konitz featured in a plethora of musical settings as a result of a concert in…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Julia Karosi featuring Ben Monder: Without Dimensions
Vocalist Julia Karosi creates some other exotic sounds that range from Old World to Other World on this collection of songs that feature guitarist Ben Monder in a wide kaleidoscope of colors and sounds with Aron Talas/p, Adam Bogothy/b and…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Hazar: Reincarnated-with special guest Al Di Meola
Ulas Hazar uses his acoustic guitar to paint flamenco sketches in a mix and match setting ranging form solo to intimate small groups rotating guests like bass clarinetist Piotr Torunski, percussionist Mehmet Akatay, pianist Mike Roelofs and hall of fame…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lafayette Gilchrist: Now
Pianist Lafayette Gilchrist teams up a trio with bassist Herman Burnie and drummer Eric Kennedy for a two disc collection of originals that renews your faith in the “classic” jazz trio. There are no frills here; no gimmicks, not attitude,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Don Menza and Frank Strazzeri: Ballads
They sure don’t make them like this anymore, and the reason is simple. Both tenor Don Menza (who’s still around and playing) and pianist Frank Strazzeri (who left us in 2014) honed their skills in big bands, therefore learning how…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lionel Loueke: HH
Guitarist Lionel Loueke has carved a creative path with his mixing of West African sounds and beats with post bop jazz in a plethora of settings, ranging to sessions as a sideman with Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock and Luciana Souza…