Size: 161,2 MB
Time: 70:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Jazz/Organ
Label: Music Room Records (MRR 5819)
Art: Front
01. Channeling Harold [6:43]
02. Autumn Leaves [5:08]
03. When Sunny Gets Blue [5:24]
04. Alone Together [7:51]
05. Norwegian Wood [6:52]
06. Cat [5:49]
07. My Romance [4:54]
08. Jeannine [6:02]
09. Road Song [6:25]
10. Waltz For Debby [3:58]
11. Sugar [6:12]
12. On Broadway [5:02]
The title (and opening) track of this album might have been called "Channeling Wes," what with its 7/4 intro vamp and classic B3 organ/guitar combo sound reminiscent of Portrait of Wes. Jay EuDaly's blowing is bluesier, but his affection for chord soloing and playing octaves definitely invokes the spirit of Montgomery.
(Incidentally, if you're curious, "Channeling Harold," is a EuDaly family term -- inspired by Jay's late grandfather Harold -- for doing "something funny and/or crazy that's potentially life threatening and involves the use of either firearms or lawnmowers.")Following the opener is a medium-up, straightahead shot at "Autumn Leaves," with Jay's fluid bebop lines fueled by Rich VanSant's Hammond B-3. Here VanSant gets his chance to cut loose, followed by the trio trading eights jam-session style.Then comes a major change of pace as the trio becomes a solo with Jay accompanying himself on guitar and singing "When Sunny Gets Blue." He gives it a ballad treatment, lending a folksy voice to the familiar standard.The trio is back for the fourth track, "Alone Together," at a medium tempo, and with a pronounced swing."Norwegian Wood" follows, and as one who finds the Beatles repugnant, I still resist the notion that this is a jazz standard (despite the fact that it has been recorded by Herbie Hancock, Charlie Byrd, and others). Still, once you get past the head, the band makes good on the modal changes."The Cat" is a funkier piece, followed by the great ballad "My Romance" sung by Diane "Mama" Ray."Jeannine" takes us back to up-tempo land, followed by the medium tempo "Road Song." The Wes Montgomery/Pat Martino organ trio influences are evident in spades here, but without being imitative.As on "When Sunny Gets Blue," "Waltz for Debby" has Jay accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Oddly, the "Waltz" is done in 4/4 time, so if Jay had written original lyrics, he probably could have dodged the BMI royalty. The song has special meaning to Jay; he indicates in his web-based liner notes that he has "two daughters who dance professionally (ballet and modern, not the other kind).""Sugar" is done down-tempo with the trio. And the closing track, "On Broadway," features the trio with Jay singing -- not just the lyrics, but while doubling on guitar with scat. It's an interesting effect, and while Jay's vocals will never rival those of Johnny Hartman or Tony Bennett, they are a far cry from the wailing of Keith Jarrett when Keith is soloing.
For me, the organ trio tracks are what make this CD. Rich VanSant gets to show his jazzier side, and Jay EuDaly gets to unwind his bebop lines with the organ and drums providing train-like momentum.
(~Rod McBride)
Musicians:
Jay EuDaly: guitars, vocals;
Rich VanSant: Hammond B3 organ;
Ian Sikora, Kevin Johnson: drums;
Diane "Mama" Ray: vocals ("My Romance")
Recorded at Berry Music Group, Olathe, KS; Lynn Allred, engineer; mixed at BRC Audio Productions, Kansas City, MO;
(Incidentally, if you're curious, "Channeling Harold," is a EuDaly family term -- inspired by Jay's late grandfather Harold -- for doing "something funny and/or crazy that's potentially life threatening and involves the use of either firearms or lawnmowers.")Following the opener is a medium-up, straightahead shot at "Autumn Leaves," with Jay's fluid bebop lines fueled by Rich VanSant's Hammond B-3. Here VanSant gets his chance to cut loose, followed by the trio trading eights jam-session style.Then comes a major change of pace as the trio becomes a solo with Jay accompanying himself on guitar and singing "When Sunny Gets Blue." He gives it a ballad treatment, lending a folksy voice to the familiar standard.The trio is back for the fourth track, "Alone Together," at a medium tempo, and with a pronounced swing."Norwegian Wood" follows, and as one who finds the Beatles repugnant, I still resist the notion that this is a jazz standard (despite the fact that it has been recorded by Herbie Hancock, Charlie Byrd, and others). Still, once you get past the head, the band makes good on the modal changes."The Cat" is a funkier piece, followed by the great ballad "My Romance" sung by Diane "Mama" Ray."Jeannine" takes us back to up-tempo land, followed by the medium tempo "Road Song." The Wes Montgomery/Pat Martino organ trio influences are evident in spades here, but without being imitative.As on "When Sunny Gets Blue," "Waltz for Debby" has Jay accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. Oddly, the "Waltz" is done in 4/4 time, so if Jay had written original lyrics, he probably could have dodged the BMI royalty. The song has special meaning to Jay; he indicates in his web-based liner notes that he has "two daughters who dance professionally (ballet and modern, not the other kind).""Sugar" is done down-tempo with the trio. And the closing track, "On Broadway," features the trio with Jay singing -- not just the lyrics, but while doubling on guitar with scat. It's an interesting effect, and while Jay's vocals will never rival those of Johnny Hartman or Tony Bennett, they are a far cry from the wailing of Keith Jarrett when Keith is soloing.
For me, the organ trio tracks are what make this CD. Rich VanSant gets to show his jazzier side, and Jay EuDaly gets to unwind his bebop lines with the organ and drums providing train-like momentum.
(~Rod McBride)
Musicians:
Jay EuDaly: guitars, vocals;
Rich VanSant: Hammond B3 organ;
Ian Sikora, Kevin Johnson: drums;
Diane "Mama" Ray: vocals ("My Romance")
Recorded at Berry Music Group, Olathe, KS; Lynn Allred, engineer; mixed at BRC Audio Productions, Kansas City, MO;
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Channeling Harold