Friday, June 4, 2021

John Boutté - Jambalaya

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:23
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:44) 1. Two Bands Rolling
(3:21) 2. It Don't Cost Very Much
(4:23) 3. A Change Is Gonna Come
(3:48) 4. Shake My Gate
(3:28) 5. Sisters
(3:31) 6. All These Things
(4:23) 7. Treme Song
(5:08) 8. Battle Hymn of the Republic
(3:31) 9. Thats My Desire
(3:59) 10. Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye
(4:49) 11. At the Foot of Canal St
(3:12) 12. Didn't It Rain
(4:22) 13. Why
(2:22) 14. Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
(4:18) 15. If I Had My Life to Live Over
(4:59) 16. I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water

A powerfully rhythmic, delightfully hypnotic representation of the resiliency of the Crescent City, John Boutte's Treme (perhaps the creative centerpiece of this diverse gumbo of a collection) is the perfect theme song for the popular HBO series about N'awlins people living in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But the classic stomping vibe of that piece and a handful of others (including the opening romp "Two Bands Rolling") is just part of the diverse magical vibe created by a true native son who sounds a tad like Rod Stewart and whose two-decade career is infused with everything from jazz and gospel to R&B, blues, and Latin music. He uses his raspy soul voice to channel Sam Cooke on a restrained but emotionally searing version of "A Change Is Gonna Come," and finds a clever way to merge gospel with danceable upright bass-driven jazz swing on "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Other tunes, like the midtempo ballad "Shake My Gate," are pure blues-soul-pop that could have come from any region. A good example of how he blends his N'awlins soul and his gospel musical roots is "At the Foot of Canal Street," which paints its hometown imagery with a lighthearted, skipping gospel groove. The overall effect is like church-hopping through the gritty neighborhoods of New Orleans (he hails from the 7th Ward), looking beyond any sorrow and devastation to the call of a higher power that tells Boutte, yes, you and your fellow natives can overcome. ~Jonathan Widran https://www.allmusic.com/album/jambalaya-mw0002293629

Jambalaya

The Terry Myers Orchestra - A Tribute to Benny Goodman

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:28
Size: 125,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:09) 1. Let's Dance
(4:03) 2. Bugle Call Rag
(3:05) 3. Don't Be That Way
(4:12) 4. The Very Thought of You
(2:25) 5. Stealin' Apples
(4:10) 6. Moonglow
(2:55) 7. And the Angels Sing
(1:59) 8. Swingtime in the Rockies
(3:42) 9. One O'clock Jump
(2:53) 10. Big John's Special
(3:08) 11. Poor Butterfly
(2:07) 12. Almost Like Being in Love
(2:56) 13. King Porter Stomp
(4:38) 14. Sing Sing Sing - Part 1
(5:18) 15. Sing Sing Sing - Part 2
(3:40) 16. Goodbye

In this earnest salute to the King of Swing, clarinetist Terry Myers and his splendid Florida based orchestra frame impressive likenesses of songs that helped make Benny Goodman a household name when big bands ruled the musical world. While there’s nothing here that one hasn’t heard before, there’s also nothing that’s not worth hearing again (that’s what made the Swing Era so special), and Myers and Co. stroll resolutely and unapologetically down “the sunny side of the street.” It’s clear they had a lot of fun recording the album, as a result of which the listener does too. Myers isn’t Goodman, and that’s fine, as he’s an accomplished clarinetist in his own right who makes his point without impersonating Benny. As for the sidemen, Myers deserves another gold star for recruiting, as they are first class in every way. The orchestra packs a formidable punch, glides through the Goodman style charts without breaking a sweat, and does so with warmth and a buoyant demeanor that’s contagious. Solos are for the most part brief but rewarding, and the rhythm section never stumbles or loses sight of its mandate, which is to keep the orchestra swinging from downbeat to coda.

Drummer Eddie Metz is a marvelous Gene Krupa surrogate on “Sing, Sing, Sing,” parts 1 and 2, with Myers, trumpeter Charlie Bertini and tenor Don Mitiken also heard on Part 2. Trombonist John Allred, one of the orchestra’s better known sidemen, is showcased on the lovely finale, Gordon Jenkins’ “Goodbye,” which Goodman used as his closing theme, and solos as well on “Bugle Call Rag” (with Mitiken and trumpeter Steve Walters), Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You” (with trombonist Dave Edwards) and “Poor Butterfly.” Edwards is spotlighted on the fast moving “Swingtime in the Rockies.” Connie Brink, a competent but otherwise unremarkable vocalist, is featured on “Moonglow,” “And the Angels Sing” and “Almost Like Being in Love.” In a brief liner note, Myers writes that the album is not only a testimonial to the music of Benny Goodman, but also “a tribute to the wonderful generation [that] made the music popular in the first place. The sacrifices they made for all of us in defeating the Depression and the axis powers in World War II made it possible for us to thrive in the last half of the twentieth century. To all of them, we say thanks." Wonderful sentiments indeed, and our hat is off to Myers and his orchestra for honoring those whose selfless endeavors helped pave the way for the peace and prosperity we savor and too often take for granted today.~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-tribute-to-benny-goodman-terry-myers-tmo-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Terry Myers, leader, clarinet; Charlie Bertini, Steve Walters, Shawn Gratz, Don Johnson, trumpet; John Allred, Steve Smith, Jerry Edwards, Joe Barati, trombone; Dave Edwards, Bob Davis, Don Mikiten, Rex Wertz, Dave Weaver, reeds; Dave Wolpe, piano; Bob Leary, guitar; Charlie Silva, bass; Eddie Metz, drums; Connie Brink, vocals.

A Tribute to Benny Goodman

Francesco Buzzurro, Richard Smith - One Word, Two Guitars

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:56
Size: 110,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:08) 1. Paisaje
(4:39) 2. Spain
(3:59) 3. Isn't She Lovely
(5:55) 4. Beyond the Mountains
(4:17) 5. Phase Dance
(4:49) 6. Cantaloupe Island
(6:04) 7. The Great North
(3:20) 8. L'ottavo Nano
(4:17) 9. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
(3:22) 10. Pinball Wizard

Richard Smith's Thirteen solo recordings have established him as a veteran of the contemporary music world - with critical success on every one of his releases. His albums have garnished praise such as "Best Contemporary Jazz Guitar Album" (Tune Up Magazine), a nomination for "Record of the Year" (Ad Lib Magazine), and "Best New Artist" (Radio & Records Magazine). His album 'SOuLIDIFIED' spent 17 weeks in the top 10 for radio airplay of American contemporary jazz radio (Radio and Records Magazine) and 3 weeks at number 1 in the World for satellite and cable airplay (Music Choice). His most recent recording, "One World, Two Guitars" is an exciting duo project with Italian virtuoso Francesco Buzzurro - the duo tours regularly in America and Europe. 'L.A. CHILLHARMONIC' features Alex Acuna, Brian Bromberg, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeff Lorber, Eric Marienthal, Michael Paulo, Greg Adams, and the Tower of Power horn section. The touring ensemble won a nomination for Best International Group of the year from the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. In 2012 his touring and teaching took him to England, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Italy, Australia and Tahiti.

Francesco Buzzurro's lifelong privileged connection with guitar started at the tender age of six when his father gave him his first guitar, which will then lead him to study classical guitar. After earning his Diploma at "Conservatorio Bellini" in Palermo, he continues education with courses held by Aldo Minella and Oscar Ghiglia. He perfected himself at the "Arts Academy" in Rome under the guidance of Stefano Palamidessi and some big concert performers like David Russell, Alberto Ponce, Hopkinson Smith and John Duarte. After taking his Degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, he started an intense concert activity that brought him to travel all over the world: from America, to Greece, to Germany, to Spain and Turkey. As a classical guitarist he won three national concerts: the "Citta di Alassio", the "Benedetto Albanese" in Caccamo, Sicily, and the "Savona in Musica". On top of his studies of classical music and of his passion for folk music, he soon develops an interest in jazz music, which bring him to graduate in Jazz Music with Honorable Mention. https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=11040067&style=music

One Word, Two Guitars

Mike LeDonne, The Groover Quartet + Big Band - It's All Your Fault

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:27
Size: 118,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:34) 1. It's All Your Fault
(6:44) 2. Matador
(6:09) 3. Rock with You
(6:54) 4. Still
(5:33) 5. Party Time
(5:17) 6. Bags and Brown
(6:20) 7. Biggest Part of Me
(7:53) 8. Blues for Jed

One of the coolest, grooviest settings for the Hammond of Mike LeDonne that we've heard in years a set that mostly features him working with a larger ensemble, at a level that brings back some of the great 60s sessions from Jimmy Smith and Oliver Nelson! Yet given Mike's touch on the keys, and the more contemporary mode of the groove, there's a nicely different vibe here not just retro jazz organ with big band, but a new chapter in the book balanced here with work from LeDonne's Groover Quartet which features work from Eric Alexander on tenor, Peter Bernstein on guitar, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. All three of those players are also in the larger group and if you're keeping track, the set features five big band numbers, and three quartet tunes. Titles include "Matador", "It's All Your Fault", "Bags & Brown", "Blues For Jed", "Rock With You", and "Party Time". © 1996-2021, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/983958/Mike-LeDonne:It%27s-All-Your-Fault

It's All Your Fault