Sunday, September 19, 2021

Curtis Fuller - The Story Of Cathy & Me

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:38
Size: 149,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:03) 1. Interlude 1: My Name Is Curtis DuBois Fuller
(7:26) 2. Little Dreams
(4:16) 3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
(3:43) 4. I Asked & She Said Yes
(7:52) 5. The Right To Love
(5:27) 6. My Lady's Tears
(1:50) 7. Interlude 2: My Children
(3:08) 8. Sweetness
(5:30) 9. Look What I Got
(1:25) 10. Interlude 3: Cancer, A Horrible Experience
(4:24) 11. Life Was Good, What Went Wrong
(3:57) 12. Love Was Everything When Love Was You And Me
(5:40) 13. Too Late Now
(5:07) 14. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
(2:43) 15. Interlude 4: My Wish For Cathy And My Friends

Legendary trombonist Curtis Fuller pays heartwarming tribute to his wife, Catherine Rose Driscoll Fuller, on The Story of Cathy & Me, a musical tale of how they met, how they lived and how he now lives without her (she passed away in January, 2010). The album's many soft and intense pieces reflect Fuller's deeply personal memories, and range of emotions from excitement to sadness. With titles like "My Lady's Tears," "Too Late Now," and "Life Was Good, What Went Wrong," and a somber theme to boot, it might seem that this is an entirely down-tempo and dreary affair. Not so, as the lively, swinging "I Asked & She Said Yes" is taken for a ride on dazzling solos from tenor saxophonist Akeem Marable and trumpeter Lester Walker, with a percussive foundation provided by Clarence Levy. "Sweetness" another Fuller composition referring to his late wife is another upbeat track where Walker is featured. Despite its title, there's nothing wrong with "Life Was Good, What Went Wrong," as it turns out to be the high-octane even funky boisterous tune of the set.

Fuller delivers warm phrasings on "Look What I Got," its gorgeous, relaxing melody departing from the album's main theme. The soft texture of the project begins to come through on "Little Dreams," followed by a light rendition of the pop classic "The First Time I Saw Your Face." With delicate accompaniment from Fuller and pianist Nick Rosen, Tia Michelle Rouse lays down tender vocals on "The Right To Love," which, along with the lovely "Too Late Now" and "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year," completes the mellow tribute to Fuller's soul mate. Speaking to light background music, Fuller includes four interludes where he first introduces himself, subsequently talking about his children, reflecting on learning of his wife's illness, and finally affirming to the world that Cathy was the "love of his life." A touching tribute to his late wife, The Story of Cathy & Me is an inspirational love story from Fuller, expressed beautifully through music.~ Edward Blanco https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-story-of-cathy-and-me-curtis-fuller-challenge-records-review-by-edward-blanco

Personnel: Curtis Fuller: trombone; Lester Walker: trumpet; Daniel Bauerkemper: tenor saxophone; Akeem Marable: tenor saxophone (1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 14); Henry Conerway III: drums; Clarence Levy: percussion (4, 8, 10); Nick Rosen: piano; Kenny Banks, Jr.: piano (1, 3, 5, 9, 14); Brandy Brewer: bass; Kevin Smith: bass (4, 5, 8); Tia Michelle Rouse: vocals (5, 11).

The Story Of Cathy & Me

Charles Earland - Unforgettable

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:52
Size: 105,1 MB
Art: Front

( 5:26)  1. Unforgettable
(12:48)  2. Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)
( 6:32)  3. Sheila
( 5:46)  4. Commitment to Love
( 4:52)  5. Heart Attack
( 6:52)  6. Yes, I Love Her
( 3:33)  7. The Kicker

Charles Earland is definitely a survivor. The Hammond hero had lost his first wife to cancer when he made a triumphant return to soul-jazz in the late '80s, and he had recovered from a major heart attack when he recorded the appropriately titled Unforgettable. Earland was in the Intensive Care Unit in August 1991, and by December 1991, was back in the studio to record this superb and varied CD. The Philadelphian stressed that he was lucky to be alive, and he celebrates his survival with imaginative interpretations of everything from Joe Henderson's "The Kicker" to Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" (which he takes a medium speed instead of its usual ballad tempo) to Santana's "Europa." Earland has consistently demonstrated that commercial appeal and accessibility can go hand-in-hand with musical integrity, and Unforgettable is one of many fine examples. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/unforgettable-mw0000177413

Personnel: Organ – Charles Earland; Drums – Buddy Williams (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 7), Gregory Williams (6) (tracks: 1, 2, 5); Guitar – Oliver Nevels; Percussion – Lawrence Killian; Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Eric Alexander; Tenor Saxophone, Producer – Houston Person (tracks: 1, 5, 7); Trombone – Clifford Adams; Trumpet – Kenny Rampton

Unforgettable