Tom Dempsey - Saucy

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:56
Size: 142,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:59)  1. One Hundred Ways
(6:48)  2. Bock to Bock
(5:04)  3. Saucy
(6:46)  4. Ted's Groove
(7:44)  5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
(4:33)  6. Always Around
(7:45)  7. My Secret Love
(7:22)  8. Ceora
(5:06)  9. The Big Bailout
(4:44) 10. Pat-a-Tat-Tat

One of the greatest pairings that revolutionized the sound of modern jazz happened over a series of Blue Note recordings with the late organ master Jimmy Smith and guitar virtuoso Kenny Burrell. Back At The Chicken Shack was one of the most important recordings to create a special hybrid of improvisational music steeped in blues yet layered with an undeniable lyrical sense of purpose and righteous swing. With the latest effort from Tom Dempsey we find that magnificent blend of spontaneous in the moment groove coupled with a dynamic soulful and soul filled look at both the past and the present of what the guitar / organ trio format has yet to offer. 

There is a roll reversal here as Dempsey is the obvious leader on this date but organ wiz Ron Oswanski who is also an accomplished leader in his own right provides the perfect counterpoint to the incredibly clean and precise single note runs that Dempsey rips off with ease. One of the most underrated drummers in Alvin Atkinson is the rhythm king, always in the pocket and swinging hard no matter the tempo. The Dempsey originals here are hitting that musical happy place between classic Kenny Burrell and a slightly more post modern Pat Martino but instead of banging out some familiar covers and simply doing an easy riff, Dempsey digs deep and displays a firm harmonic base and addictive lyrical presence to delight those that felt this sound was perhaps locked away in the jazz witness protection program. "Ted's Groove" and "Saucy" could be easily mistaken for lost tunes from fifty years ago but instead can pass for standards patiently waiting in the on deck circle. 

The covers of "One Hundred Ways" and the classic Lee Morgan tune "Ceora" are each built on not only the traditions of their time but on the personal experiences of Dempsey which is key to his establishing his own foothold in modern jazz. There is a very simple conceptual basis for this recording, feeling good. If you don't feel good after experiencing Saucy then hang tight, you should be receiving your autopsy report shortly. Tom Dempsey is the real deal and has put together not only a release but an ensemble that should be around for a long time. This is the land of rhythm and groove. Better still, this is groove squared. An absolute winner! ~ Brent Black  http://www.criticaljazz.com/2013/07/tom-dempsey-saucy-planet-arts-2013.html

Personnel: Tom Dempsey: guitars; Ron Oswanski: organ; Alvin Atkinson: drums.

Saucy

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Teraesa Vinson - Opportunity Please Knock

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2004
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 51:20
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. What A Difference A Day Made
(2:49)  2. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
(4:37)  3. Moon Ray
(7:07)  4. I Can't Make You Love Me
(5:16)  5. While We're Young
(3:49)  6. I've Got The World On A String
(3:55)  7. The Song Is You
(5:19)  8. Young and Foolish
(4:59)  9. A Beautiful Friendship
(3:11) 10. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:11) 11. Opportunity Please Knock

Vocalist Teraesa Vinson's debut album, Opportunity Please Knock , opens with a deceivingly innocent interpretation of "What A Difference a Day Made." She begins with an uncomplicated duet with bassist Nicki Parrot, which develops into a refined quartet. The track blossoms into a raucous swing that proves Vinson and her group mean business. Theraesa Vinson's sass and personality radiate throughout this album, yet never in excess. Vinson possesses a keen ear in respect to harmonic choices when she strays from the written melody. Her natural rhythmic drive is clearly evident throughout this disc. The intuitive nature of the musical rapport between Vinson and drummer Dion Parson is undeniable with a perfectly placed hit during a climactic chorus of "What a Difference a Day Made." One of several highlights on the album is Vinson's recording of Bonnie Raitt's pop hit "I Can't Make You Love Me." 

This selection shows Vinson's versatility and willingness to "sing outside the box" that is often associated with jazz. Ron Blake's ardent tenor playing on this track strikes a bright contrast to the previous introspective mood. His solo is heartfelt and true testament to what a seasoned jazz musician can create with any song regardless of genre. Vinson's maturity is further demonstrated by her ease in handling the tempo of "The Song is You." Despite the breakneck speed and dazzling riffs by her band, Vinson remains restrained, not rushing to spit out the words or ever overwhelming the listener. Throughout this album, newcomer Teraesa Vinson gracefully finds a natural balance of song, improvisation, and musicians, creating an exceptional album debut.

~ Jeff Hedberg  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/opportunity-please-knock-teraesa-vinson-amplified-records-review-by-jeff-hedberg.php#.U5tyASioqdk
 

Personnel: Teraesa Vinson, Vocals; Ron Blake, Saxophone; Tom Dempsey, Guitar; Carlton Holmes, Piano; Dion Parson, Drums; Nicki Parrott, Bass

Opportunity Please Knock

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Teraesa Vinson & Tom Dempsey - Next To You

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:57
Size: 103,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:27)  1. Nobody Else But Me
(3:17)  2. Next To You
(4:01)  3. Opportunity Please Knock
(4:03)  4. Foolish Heart
(4:53)  5. Triste
(4:49)  6. You Taught My Heart To Sing
(3:58)  7. My How The Time Goes By
(2:18)  8. I Remember You
(3:37)  9. Ribbon In The Sky
(4:49) 10. Just Squeeze Me
(2:55) 11. Old Devil Moon
(2:44) 12. Bein' Green

Teraesa Vinson sings her program from the heart with a genuine air. She convinces. As an experienced storyteller, she puts you right in the lap of each experience. "Being Green, for example, carries a wider meaning than what you hear on the surface. In Vinson's care, its lyrics stretch out to cover it all. The same is true for her sensual ballads and up-tempo swingers.  Working in a duo format with guitarist Tom Dempsey for this, her second recording, the singer has opted for a cross-section of material, from Ellington and Jobim to Stevie Wonder and Oscar Brown, Jr. Her program and her musical format are designed for intimacy. She delivers the message clearly while Dempsey provides exemplary accompaniment. Together, they establish a comfortable blues aura that surrounds their performance with class.Vinson remains comfortable with all kinds of songs.

"Ribbon in the Sky introduces built-up emotions, while "Just Squeeze Me saunters idly through swing. McCoy Tyner's "You Taught My Heart to Sing brings tears to the eye, while Dempsey's "Next to You settles in comfortably with cool passion. Vinson has mastered each mood accurately and musically. She and Dempsey keep most their session mellow and laid back. The comfort allows them to deliver meaning naturally. Old Devil Moon stands out with an emotional surge as the session's high point. Here, singer and guitarist turn it up a notch through tension and release. Their balance points them in the direction of cohesive success as the two intertwine naturally. Vinson and Dempsey share a deep love for the music that comes reflected in each interpretation.     ~ Jim Santella   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/next-to-you-teraesa-vinson-self-produced-review-by-jim-santella.php#.U5FAtyioqdk
 

Personnel: Teraesa Vinson: vocals; Tom Dempsey: guitar.

Next To You

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Tom Dempsey - Saucy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:42
Size: 141.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[5:58] 1. One Hundred Ways
[6:47] 2. Bock To Bock
[5:03] 3. Saucy
[6:44] 4. Ted's Groove
[7:42] 5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
[4:31] 6. Always Around
[7:43] 7. My Secret Love
[7:21] 8. Ceora
[5:05] 9. The Big Bailout
[4:43] 10. Pat-A-Tat-Tat

There's something about the sound of the guitar with the Hammond B3 organ. It's often hard to explain. The nuances of the timbres found in both instruments when combined together in musical interplay that is rooted in the blues, creates a sonic palette like no other. It is this sound that initially attracted me to the jazz guitar. The first recording that I heard of the jazz guitar was Smokin' at the Half Note by Wes Montgomery. While this recording didn't contain the organ/guitar combination in the instrumentation, it soon led me on a musical journey. Being exposed to Wes Montgomery at such a young age led me to this unique relationship between the organ and guitar that I found with Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith on The Dynamic Duo and Wes with Melvin Rhyne on Boss Guitar. These records eventually led me to Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Smith together on the record Back At The Chicken Shack. After that I was hooked.

Upon moving to NYC in 1991, I spent many years playing with various organ players. There was Augie's where I played and hung out regularly. But it was in Harlem was where I worked with several different organ players almost nightly. From Showman's Lounge to Lickety Split, Perks, La Famille and others, the music that was coming out of these clubs embodied all that I loved about music. Honesty, self-expression, the blues, raw emotion and virtuosity were all coupled with a social environment that welcomed people from all backgrounds into a collaborative discussion. This opportunity, which continues today, was made possible by the music, the food and the people assembled. This recording showcases the evolution of my experience playing jazz. The tradition of the jazz canon and the lineage of the standard of jazz performance handed down from my heroes (Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Jim Hall and Grant Green) remain at the root of my soul as a musician. But there are many other interests, sounds and musical palettes that resonate inside me.

Saucy

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