Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@VBR ~244K/s
Time: 44:43
Size: 79,2 MB
Art: Front
(4:51) 1. My Old Friend (Feat. Gerald Albright)
(4:08) 2. Someday (Feat. Dianne Reeves)
(4:52) 3. Churchyheart (Backyard Ritual) (Feat. Marcus Miller)
(4:37) 4. Somebossa (Summer Breezin') (Feat. Gerald Albright)
(4:28) 5. Sweet Baby (Feat. Lalah Hathaway)
(3:46) 6. Every Reason to Smile/Wings of Love (Feat. Jeffrey Osborne)
(4:00) 7. No Rhyme, No Reason (Feat. Kelly Price)
(4:32) 8. Bring Me Joy (George Duke, Boney James)
(4:42) 9. Brazilian Love Affair / Up from the Sea / It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite (Feat. Dianne Reeves)
(4:42) 10. You Touch My Brain (Dr. John)
My Old Friend, Celebrating George Duke (Concord, 2014) is Al Jarreau’s special tribute to his friend and former music collaborator. The multiple Grammy Award-winner is joined by several of George Duke’s many collaborators, including long-time music partner Stanley Clarke. Al Jarreau has invited guest artists Gerald Albright, Dr. John, Lalah Hathaway, Boney James, Marcus Miller, Jeffrey Osborne, Kelly Price, Dianne Reeves and several others to join the celebration and re-interpret some of George Duke’s best known post-bop, jazz, R&B and Brazilian jazz compositions. The album was produced by Stanley Clarke, John Burk, Marcus Miller and Boney James. The 10 songs selected from Duke’s extensive catalogue will lift your spirits and bring back fond memories of George Duke in his heyday. The program opens with the appropriate title track “My Old Friend.” Al Jarreau’s great vocals are supported by an all-star ensemble that not only features his label mate-saxophonist Gerald Albright- but such great artists as Stanley Clarke on bass, Patrice Rushen on piano/keyboards, Paul Jackson, Jr. on guitar, John Robinson on drums and backing vocals by Jeffrey Osborne with several other background vocalists. Although George Duke did not write this song, its selection was certainly on-point because of Al Jarreau’s 50-year friendship with the great musician. Gerald Albright is also featured on “Somebossa (Summer Breezin’)” a song written by Jarreau, Duke, and Patrick Lundquist. This breezy bossa nova-styled song is a gentle reminder of George Duke’s diverse musical abilities and understanding of Brazilian jazz.
John Burk and Stanley Clarke produced both songs. “Someday” features George Duke’s cousin, the multiple Grammy Award-vocalist Dianne Reeves. She duets with Al on this wonderful George Duke original which also features keyboardist John Beasley and Marcus Miller on bass. Miller also produced the track with John Burk. Dianne Reeves returns later in the program to sing “Brazilian Love Affair/Up from the Sea It Rose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite.” Her lovely vocals make these songs worth several listens. Marcus Miller is the featured performer on “Churchyheart (Backyard Ritual),” another beautiful song written by Al Jarreau and George Duke. This ballad is sung by Al accompanied by John Beasley on keyboards, Mike Cottone on trumpet, Jubu on guitar, and John Robinson on drums. What makes this song so special is the addition of Miller’s bass clarinet solo that underlines the dynamic vocals of Al Jarreau and adds another great attitude to the hot rhythm section. There is no way to forget the Clarke/Duke monster hit “Sweet Baby” due to its repeated airplay on classic smooth jazz radio stations these days. Vocalist Lalah Hathaway joins Al Jarreau in a remarkable duet. Duke’s writing partner Stanley Clarke plays bass and lends his backing vocals on this lovely reinterpretation of one of their best-loved hits. As a composer/producer/arranger George Duke was behind many artists’ chart-topping hits including Jeffrey Osborne’s.
Here, Jeffrey sings a medley of the Clarke/Duke hit “Every Reason to Smile” and his own hit "On the Wings of Love.” One of Duke’s major show-stoppers, "No Rhyme, No Reason,” gets a soulful update from Kelly Price with programming by Boney James. Boney James also produced “Bring Me Joy.” This song was recorded by Boney James, Dave Rideau and Seth Presant and mixed by Dave Rideau. It features the original recording of George Duke himself performing on keyboards. James’ haunting saxophonics will surely bring a smile to your face as you remember them playing this amazing song together. The CD closes with Dr. John reinterpreting “You Touch My Brain” a funky, jam that showcases Al Jarreau and Dr. John’s bluesy vocals. Al Jarreau has done a great job with My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. With his leadership, vocal expertise and the abundance of great artists gathered for the recording, he has definitely extended George Duke’s exciting legacy as well as his own for years to come. http://www.axs.com/al-jarreau-s-my-old-friend-celebrating-george-duke-features-jazz-great-13060
