Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:49
Size: 123.2 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2013
Art: Front
[ 7:40] 1. Cuban Overture
[ 6:58] 2. But Not For Me
[ 5:40] 3. My Man's Gone Now
[10:35] 4. Prelude #2
[ 6:50] 5. It Ain't Necessarily So
[ 6:29] 6. Someone To Watch Over Me
[ 4:14] 7. Summertime
[ 5:20] 8. How Long Has This Been Going On
With so many tribute bands and albums cluttering the rock scene these days, it’s a breath of fresh air to be able to write about a jazz tribute album, and a killin’ one at that. The Nashville Jazz Orchestra’s new recording It Ain’t Necessarily So features fresh takes on Gershwin classics, all of them arranged by local musicians. Three of the tracks feature terrific vocal work by Christina Watson, including a particularly slinky rendition of “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Instrumental highlights include Jamey Simmons’ arrangement of “But Not for Me,” featuring some delicious moments of counterpoint and dissonance that resolve in unexpected ways; Bernie Walker’s take on “Summertime,” which shakes the dust off the typically languid chestnut by upping the tempo considerably and throwing in some big-band brashness; Ryan Middagh’s dramatic interpretation of the expansive “Cuban Overture”; and NJO leader Jim Williamson’s interpretation of the title track, the perfect score for the latest film noir revival. But don’t take my word for it — jazz trumpet legend Randy Brecker gave the album a big thumbs-up, calling it “absolutely world class,” which in the world of jazz is about as legit as it gets. ~Jack Silverman
It Ain't Necessarily So
