Showing posts with label Gerry Niewood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gerry Niewood. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Chuck Mangione - The Feeling's Back

Styles: Flugelhorn Jazz 
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:00
Size: 132,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Mountain Flight
(7:39)  2. Consuelo's Love Theme
(6:36)  3. Leonardo's Lady
(6:05)  4. Fotografia
(3:34)  5. Quase
(5:06)  6. Aldovio
(5:59)  7. Once Upon A Love Time
(8:25)  8. Manhã De Carnaval
(3:51)  9. Maracangalha
(4:50) 10. Le Vie En Rose

Chuck Mangione, who all but disappeared from the radar screens after his enormously successful run of best-selling albums in the mid- to late-'70s, says "the feeling's back" and, if we are to judge from his even-tempered debut for Chesky Records, so is Chuck, who seems to be playing his dulcet flugel as well as ever. He's always had a well-developed ear for beguiling melodies, and that too seems as keen as ever. While one may question the music's Jazz content, none can doubt its loveliness or charm. The downside is that much of the date is rather dreamy and atmospheric, as if everyone were reaching for another crossover chart-buster such as "Land of Make Believe," "Chase the Clouds Away," "Feels So Good" or "Hill Where the Lord Hides." In that respect, there are several noteworthy candidates including "Consuelo's Love Theme," "Leonardo's Lady," "Aldovio" and "Once Upon a Love Time," each of which appears to have been written by Mangione with that purpose in mind. Equally lovely are the relatively more familiar "Mountain Flight" by Toninho Horta; Jobim's "Fotografia"; Luis Bonfá's "Manhã de Carnaval," and Edith Piaf's mega-hit from the '50s, "La Vie en Rose." There are only two songs designed to stir one's blood and quicken the pulse rate, Dori Caymmi's "Maracangalha" and Mario Adnet/Carlos Sandroni's "Quase," and even they simmer more than cook. Also, this is Chuck's show all the way, with the flugel commanding the spotlight and everyone else remanded to the chorus. Nothing wrong with that (it is his gig), but one should be aware that Mangione isn't playing much Jazz these days; the session is long on melody but short on improvisation. 

If you heard any of Chuck's well-received albums of a generation ago, you'll pretty much know what to expect.  The Feeling's Back is in many ways a throwback. Whether it can recapture the special magic of the '70s remains to be seen. ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-feelings-back-chuck-mangione-chesky-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php
 
Personnel: Chuck Mangione (flugelhorn);  Cliff Korman (piano, keyboards);  Jay Azzolina (guitar);  Paulo Braga (drums);  Sanders (vocals);  Gerry Niewood (flute, alto flute);  Sarah Carter (cello);  David Finck (acoustic & electric basses); Kip Reid (electric bass); Cafe (percussion).

The Feeling's Back

Monday, November 7, 2016

Chuck Mangione - Everything For Love

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:34
Size: 149,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. Peggy Hill
(7:08)  2. Slo Ro
(7:02)  3. Amazing Grace
(6:18)  4. Seoul Sister
(7:48)  5. Viola
(4:14)  6. Fox Hunt
(6:33)  7. Annalise
(6:00)  8. I Do Everything For Love
(6:29)  9. Papa Mangione
(6:50) 10. Freddie's Walkin'

Chuck Mangione, the famed flugelhornist and trumpeter fills his first recording of the 21st century with some wonderfully subdued love songs whose subtle, intimate qualities may surprise those of his fans who best know his boisterous pop hits. More than simply expressing a romantic boy-girl kind of love, Mangione is playing gentle, atmospheric jazz for a wide variety of special people, real and animated. And there is no doubt that the truest love here is that between the artist and some of his old bandmates; saxman Gerry Niewood played with Mangione from 1968 through the mid-'70s, while guitarist Grant Geissman (showing a rich, traditional jazz depth only hinted at on most of his smooth jazz efforts) and bassist Charles Meeks were there during Mangione's late '70s pop heyday. "Slo Ro," dedicated to Mangione's wife, is a moody reflection piece led by a drifting muted trumpet and the bluesy duality of Niewood's smoky tenor and Allen's keys. A seven-minute meditative version of "Amazing Grace" begins as a quiet, prayer-like duet between Mangione and Geissman, who switches partway through from the Wes sound to an electric rock axe for an edgy solo; then, Allen's organ solo takes this very spiritual rendition to church before Niewood chimes in with a sweet flute solo. Within each song, there are moments when Pellegrini's drums kick the softness up a few notches, and the peppery horn playing on "Fox Hunt" and the clapping percussion on the Latin-spiced "I Do Everything for Love" show a more playful side than Mangione displays elsewhere. Fans who know Mangione's whole career will see this as a fine addition to his jazz catalog; those who want more pop hits will be surprised at the low-key nature of the project. ~ Jonathan Widran http://www.allmusic.com/album/everything-for-love-mw0000104126

Personnel: Chuck Mangione (trumpet, flugelhorn); Charles Meeks (vocals, electric bass); Gerry Niewood (soprano & tenor saxophones); Corey Allen, Tim Regusis (keyboards); Grant Geissman (acoustic & electric guitars); Darryl Pellegrini (drums); Paulette McWilliams, Cindy Mizelle (background vocals).

Everything For Love

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Gerry Niewood - Gerry Niewood & Timepiece

Styles: Flute and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:10
Size: 111,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:05)  1. Joy
(3:40)  2. Soft Focus
(4:58)  3. Aqua
(3:34)  4. Anyo
(7:28)  5. Manhattan Bittersweet/Snow (Medley)
(4:47)  6. Ralph's Piano Waltz
(5:14)  7. Masada
(6:11)  8. Thorn Of A White Rose
(8:08)  9. Timeless

Gerry Niewood is an instrumentalist (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone saxophones; flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo, clarinet) who has lent his melodic invention to artists as diverse as:Chuck Mangione, Peggy Lee, Simon and Garfunkel, Sinead O'Connor, Anne Murray, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Mark Murphy, Gil Evans, Astrid Gilbeto, Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Gerry Mulligan to name only a few. Gerry is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. Following graduation, he embarked on a recording and concertizing schedule with the Chuck Mangione Quartet with which he performed for a total of nearly fourteen years.

Six years after graduation, Gerry relocated to the highly fertile music scene of New York City and began freelancing. With so many colors in his Palette, and his adaptability to many musical styles, there has never been a shortage of opportunities for Gerry. But his distinctive voice on one instrument, the soprano saxophone, brought him the greatest praise. He was twice voted Downbeat International critic's poll winner in the category “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” on Soprano Saxophone. Gerry's Tenor Sax was heard on the sound track to the Robert DeNero film “A Bronx Tale,” his woodwinds in the orchestra for “When Harry Met Sally, “Annie,” “Shining Through,” “National Lampoon Goes to the Movies,” “King of Comedy,” and many others. Gerry is the 1st saxophonist of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. In that capacity, he has performed with some of the world's most famous entertainers. As a composer, Gerry Niewood's works have been recorded by: The Chuck Mangione Quartet, Rare Silk, Lena Horn Gerry's resume appears in the Encyclopedia of Jazz, and the Who's Who in Entertainment. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/gerryniewood

Gerry Niewood & Timepiece