John La Barbera Big Band - On The Wild Side

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:09
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

( 4:22)  1. Mayreh
( 7:21)  2. So What
( 4:25)  3. Tiger of San Pedro
( 7:15)  4. Message from Art
(10:33)  5. Walk on the Wild Side Suite
( 5:16)  6. Cachaça Gotcha
(10:30)  7. Eleanor Rigby
( 6:16)  8. Cloth of Silver - Threads of Blue
( 6:06)  9. Highland Crossing

Good things, it has been said, come to those who wait. Well, we've waited a long time for John La Barbera, the middle third of the multi-talented La Barbera brothers, to record his first big-band album, and it's good. Check that; it's better than good much closer, one might reasonably argue, to spectacular. As a composer and arranger, La Barbera knows how to make a big band swing like there's no tomorrow; one doesn't spend nearly two decades playing and writing for Buddy Rich without learning that. La Barbera has further helped the cause by putting together an ensemble whose rhythm section (on five tracks), plus trumpeter Clay Jenkins and tenor saxophonist Bob Shepard, doubles as the Joe La Barbera Quintet (Bill Cunliffe, piano; Tom Warrington, bass). Yes, that's younger brother Joe on drums, driving the band relentlessly forward, and older brother Pat on tenor, soloing brightly on five of the nine selections. The rest of the band is a who's who of top-drawer West Coast sidemen who can nail anything La Barbera or anyone else dreams up. The leader even persuaded elder statesman Bud Shank, playing as well as ever at age seventy-five (when the recording was made), to take the album's first solo, on Horace Silver's fast-moving bop theme "Mayreh."

Besides transforming the Beatles' shopworn "Eleanor Rigby" into an ingenious big band tour de force and reupholstering the dramatic suite from Elmer Bernstein's "Walk on the Wild Side," originally arranged for Rich, John wrote the growling "Tiger of San Pedro" (which trombonist Bill Watrous used as the title of one of his '70s albums), the supple "Cachaça Gotcha," mercurial "Cloth of Silver-Threads of Blue" and evocative "Highland Crossing," while brother Joe penned the powerful remembrance of Art Blakey, "Message from Art," to which he, Shepard and trombonist Bruce Paulson have added the exclamation marks. Pat's tenor is showcased on "Tiger," "Eleanor Rigby" and Miles Davis' "So What," his soprano on "Highland Crossing," and both instruments on "Wild Side." Jenkins solos adroitly on four tracks, trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and Dennis Farias bare their chops on "Tiger" and "Crossing," respectively, and alto Kim Richmond is customarily forceful on "Gotcha." Worth waiting for? Without a doubt. Horace Silver, who cuts right to the chase, keenly assesses Wild Side in one dead-on sentence on the album's cover: "Good arrangements... good band... good performance." There's not much one can add to that.~ Jack Bowers http://www.allaboutjazz.com/on-the-wild-side-john-la-barbera-jazz-compass-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Wayne Bergeron, Dennis Farias, Bob O'Donnell, Clay Jenkins, trumpet; Brian Scanlon, alto, soprano sax, flute, piccolo; Kim Richmond, alto sax; Bob Sheppard, Pat La Barbera (2, 3, 5, 9), Tom Peterson (1, 4, 6-8), tenor sax; Bob Carr, baritone sax, bass clarinet; Bruce Paulson (1, 4, 6-8), Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Bill Reichenbach (2, 3, 5, 9), trombone; Ken Kugler, bass trombone; Bill Cunliffe (1, 4, 6-8), Tom Ranier (2, 3, 5, 9), keyboards; Tom Warrington, bass; Joe La Barbera, drums; Scott Breadman (6), percussion.

On The Wild Side

---

Anjani - Anjani

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2000

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 49:58

Size: 116,1 MB

Art: Front

(3:55)  1. Here And Now

(3:15)  2. How I Love You

(5:51)  3. Angel By Your Side

(4:15)  4. Kanaloa

(3:10)  5. Shelter For My Soul

(3:48)  6. Queen Of Your Heart

(4:37)  7. Ties That Bind

(4:41)  8. Ain't Foolin' No One

(4:21)  9. Over You

(3:03) 10. What's Left Of Our Dream

(5:42) 11. The Spirit Of Love

(3:14) 12. Silver Diamonds

This is the first solo cd by Anjani, who later went on to collaborate with Leonard Cohen on a quietly seductive record titled, Blue Alert. This self-titled CD is a cool collection of original acoustic, smooth jazz, and world music. These songs contain many references to Anjani's upbringing in the tropical, multi-cultured paradise of Hawaii. Anjani takes you on an intimate journey of revelation and celebration, portraying affairs of the heart with vision and integrity. What sets her apart from other vocally blessed singer/songwriters is her mastery of the keyboard. In the words of one reviewer, The arrangement on this song (Ain t Foolin No One) is so subtle and well filled out, it is a while before you realize it is only voice and piano, with no other accompanying instruments. Comfortable playing in diverse musical genres from jazz torch ballad (Over You) to ki ho alu (slack key guitar duet with Henry Kapono); and Okinawan melodies (Spirit of Love), each tune is an unexpected offering that reaches beyond pop fare. Fusion jazz virtuoso, Frank Gambale plays superb acoustic guitar on five cuts, most notably the latin tinged samba, Ties That Bind.

Anjani says, For years I wanted to do a record but I never got beyond the dream state. Lovers of enchanting ballads and heartfelt, sensuous imagery woven into wonderfully crafted songs, will be glad this artist started putting her dreams down onto disc. On one of the finest cuts, How I Love You, the mood is slow and mesmeric with gradual build-ups to, Wonder, magic, wild abandon, dance of passion There are several of these before we are brought to ground again, with the knowing melancholia of the final line: Time will tell me, how you love me. There is an ethereal, other worldly quality running through many of these songs, and moments of homespun philosophy too. There are no bad tracks and all the songs are well crafted poetic statements. There is a maturity about this work that belies its debut status. The song arrangements and lyrics are obviously the work of someone who has spent considerable time and patience honing her craft. On the first cut of the record Anjani tells us she is getting off to a late start. All I can say is whatever it took for this talent to ripen, judging by this stunning first record, it has been well worth the wait. ~ Stephen Carr Japan Update

Anjani, Hawaii-born, half-Okinawan, has released a self-titled, classy and superbly-produced beauty of a CD. The 12-song debut has elements of pop, folk, jazz and world music presented with an easy spirit and fresh finesse. Kanaloa, a stunning duet with Henry Kapono, is a gorgeous Hawaiian language tribute to the island of Kaho'olawe and is probably the most beautiful song on the CD. All in all, Anjani exhibits talent and authenticity with endless possibilities. ~ Les Reynolds Indie-Music.com

The first locally released album by Hawaii expatriate Anjani, is a beautiful calling card. All the songs are new; she wrote most and co-wrote the others. They create a musical portrait that opens with singles bar patter ( I m a Virgo moon with a Leo heart ) then gels as a memorable chronicle of life and love. Kanaloa, sung as a duet with Henry Kapono while Ozzie Kotani plays guitar, adds a sense of her island roots. Anjani is a soothing musical experience. ~ John Berger Honolulu Star Bulletin – Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Anjani-Thomas/dp/B000CADTHY

Anjani

---

Stan Hasselgard - California Sessions

Styles: Vocal And Clarinet Jazz

Year: 2010

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 76:46

Size: 176,8 MB

Art: Front

(2:53)  1. Gotta Have More Money

(3:13)  2. Hortense

(2:35)  3. Flying Foam

(2:34)  4. Gone After You

(3:02)  5. Swedish Pastry

(2:46)  6. Sweet And Hop Mop

(2:51)  7. Who Sleeps

(2:58)  8. I'll Never Be The Same

(4:26)  9. Indiana

(2:42) 10. Swedish Pastry

(1:07) 11. Greetings To Sweden

(0:55) 12. One O'clock Jump

(4:14) 13. C Jam Blues

(2:33) 14. I Never Loved Anyone

(3:37) 15. What Is This Thing Called Love

(6:16) 16. Jam Session At Jubilee

(1:35) 17. Who's Sorry Now

(1:30) 18. One O'clock Jump

(5:11) 19. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone

(3:07) 20. Jelly

(5:42) 21. Blues For Billy

(4:54) 22. Just You, Just Me

(2:40) 23. Sweet And Hot Mop

(3:14) 24. I'll Never Be The Same

Greatly influenced by Benny Goodman, Stan Hasselgård was an ill-fated Swedish clarinetist who focused on swing in the late '30s and '40s, but started exploring bebop toward the end of his life. In fact, he was among the first musicians to play bop on the clarinet. The jazzman was born Ake Hasselgård in Sundsvall, Sweden, but grew up in the small town of Bollnas. Hasselgård was given a clarinet for his 16th birthday. At 19, while he was attending the University of Uppsala in Uppsala, Sweden, he joined a small group called the Royal Swingers. Hasselgård joined bassist Arthur Osterwall's quintet in 1945, which was also the year in which he helped form a new Royal Swingers lineup. By the mid-'40s, the clarinetist had become well-known in Swedish jazz circles, and 1946-1947 found him being featured prominently on recordings by the Swingers, as well as the sextet of bassist Simon Brehm.

By July 1947, Hasselgård was living in New York, where he sat in with Jack Teagarden at the Famous Door on the legendary 52nd Street not long after his arrival. Then in 1948, Hasselgård got a chance to play and record with his idol, Benny Goodman, who employed the Swede in a two-clarinet septet that also included Mary Lou Williams and Wardell Gray. It was also in 1948 that Hasselgård employed American musicians on some small-group recordings of his own and headlined the 52nd Street club called the Three Deuces, where he had a quintet that boasted Max Roach on drums. On the opening night of his Deuces engagement in October 1948, he was billed as "the Bebop King of Sweden" and found that none other than Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were in the audience. Hasselgård's last recording sessions came on November 18, 1948. Four days later, on November 22, he was killed in an auto accident in Decatur, IL, at the age of 26. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/artist/stan-hasselg%C3%A5rd-mn0000743950/biography

Personnel: Stan Hasselgard - clarinet & vocal #1;  Johnny White - vibraphone & piano;  Red Norvo - Vibraphone;   Arnold Ross, Jimmie Rowles Dodo Marmarosa - piano;   Wardell Gray - tenor sax;  Guy Scalisi, Barney Kessel, Al Hendrickson - guitar;   Rollo Garberg, Harry Babasin, Billy Hadnott - bass; Frank Bode, Jackie Mills, Don Lamond - drums; Frances Wayne & Billy Eckstine - vocal.

California Sessions

---

Johnny Adams - Man of My Word

Styles: Vocal, R&B
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:58
Size: 137,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Even Now
(4:12)  2. It Ain't The Same Thing
(4:40)  3. This Time I'm Gone For Good
(4:27)  4. Going Out of My Mind Sale
(4:38)  5. Now You Know
(4:48)  6. Up and down World
(4:11)  7. I Don't Want To Know
(4:55)  8. Man Of My Word
(4:28)  9. You Don't Miss You Water
(4:35) 10. Bulldog Break His Chain
(3:37) 11. It Tears Me Up
(5:00) 12. Looking Back
(4:54) 13. Never Alone

Adams kept cranking out solo albums for the Rounder imprint and this one was the ninth such effort, finding him in tip-top shape vocally and in full command of his consummate powers.

In addition to top-notch new material from Dan Penn ("It Ain't the Same Thing"), Carson Whitsett ("Bulldog Break His Chain"), Bobby Charles ("I Don't Want to Know") and Jonnie Barnett ("Going Out of My Mind Sale"), Adams takes on William Bell's "You Don't Miss Your Water," Brook Benton's "Looking Back" and Percy Sledge's "It Tears Me Up." 

Closing out the album is a duet with Aaron Neville on the gospel chestnut "Never Alone." ~ Cub Koda http://www.allmusic.com/album/man-of-my-word-mw0000600071

Personnel: Johnny Adams, Aaron Neville, Nick Daniels, Charles Elam III, Earl J. Smith, Jr. (vocals); Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Michael Toles (guitar); Jim Spake (tenor & baritone saxophones); Scott Thompson (trumpet); Craig Klein (trombone); David Torkanowsky (keyboards); George Porter, Jr. (bass); Donnell Spencer, Jr. (drums); Elaine Foster (background vocals).

Man of My Word

---

Various - Louisiana Piano Rhythms

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:56
Size: 116.6 MB
Styles: Louisiana blues piano, R&B
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:28] 1. Jelly Roll Morton - Deep Creek Blues
[2:00] 2. Professor Longhair - Rum And Coca-Cola
[6:45] 3. Fats Domino - So Long
[2:26] 4. Clarence 'Frogman' Henry - You Always Hurt The One You Love
[2:12] 5. Allen Toussaint - Ain't Misbehavin'
[2:16] 6. Ray Charles - Rockin' Chair Blues
[4:15] 7. Jerry Lee Lewis - Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano
[2:25] 8. Little Richard - Lucille
[2:12] 9. Huey Piano Smith - Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, Pt. 1
[2:44] 10. Frankie Ford - Sea Cruise
[3:11] 11. Dr. John - Make Your Own
[2:23] 12. Little Richard - Send Me Some Lovin'
[2:24] 13. Ray Charles - If I Give You My Love
[2:15] 14. Allen Toussaint - On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[3:50] 15. Professor Longhair - Big Chief
[3:11] 16. Jerry Lee Lewis - What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)
[2:50] 17. Fats Domino - I'm Walkin'

Billed as "a musical celebration of Louisiana's contribution to the world of music," this narrows the framework down to just spotlighting the myriad strains of piano playing that has infused that state.

Rounding up tracks from Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Little Richard (he's from Georgia, therefore somewhat of a ringer in this set), Ray Charles (not from Louisiana and neither are these tracks -- curious), Jerry Lee Lewis, Huey "Piano" Smith, Allen Toussaint, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and Dr. John, the rocking quotient stays pretty high throughout, and the set jells nicely. ~Cub Koda

Louisiana Piano Rhythms

---

Dennis De Young - One Hundred Years From Now

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:47
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Adult Contemporary
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. One Hundred Years From Now
[3:45] 2. This Time Next Year
[4:34] 3. Rain
[5:58] 4. Crossing The Rubicon
[5:26] 5. Save Me
[4:06] 6. I Don't Believe In Anything
[4:25] 7. Private Jones
[4:59] 8. I Believe In You
[4:47] 9. There Was A Time
[5:11] 10. Breathe Again
[4:22] 11. Forgiveness
[3:05] 12. Turn Off Cnn

Dennis DeYoung spent a fair chunk of his solo career denying the very sound of Styx (not quite the same thing as denying their songs, which he would continue to sing), going as far as Broadway to distinguish himself from the band and writing concept albums. One Hundred Years from Now, initially released in Canada in 2007 and appearing two years later in the States, retains some dramatic elements, but despite some heavy themes, it's more notable for its sound. It hits hard, sometimes bordering on heavy, fueled by arena hooks and power ballads, sounding more like Styx than any of his other albums, but One Hundred Years from Now isn't necessarily a throwback, thanks in part to DeYoung actively pondering the fate of the modern world, ranting against CNN, sneering about "who needs reality when you've got gigabytes" and singing a song about keeping hope alive. He might wonder what everything will look like in a century, but this is rooted in the 20th century, right down to the bleating synth sounds and thundering guitar that color these outsized rockers, but there's conviction in DeYoung's delivery and he simply sounds at home belting out power rockers and, especially, power ballads, both of which are in abundance here. It's that familiarity factor that works wonders for One Hundred Years from Now -- he's waited long enough to pursue this sound that he now approaches it with fresh ears, not necessarily reinventing it but reinvigorating it, resulting in his best solo album yet. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

One Hundred Years From Now

---

Zoe Chilco - Warm In A Cool Place

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:10
Size: 119.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. On My Way
[4:00] 2. Hijack Heart Attack
[4:01] 3. Mr. Alone
[4:38] 4. Gypsy Blood
[4:42] 5. Mr. Honeyman
[4:57] 6. Warm In A Cool Place
[5:37] 7. Brand New Lover
[3:37] 8. Hi F-Eye
[4:28] 9. The Pink Room
[4:46] 10. On The Beach
[4:44] 11. Flower Lover
[3:31] 12. Waitin' For Your Smile

Zoe Chilco, songwriter and vocalist in jazz and blues. All original compositions. Finalist in the 2002 UK Songwriting Competition. (Jazz category). Voted one of the top ten listeners' choice for Blues Radio Germany. “Zoe has a velvety romantic voice, but at the same time, full of power...” Zoe writes and sings about love lost, found (however temporarily) and love needed.

Warm In A Cool Place

---

Hot Club Quartette - Hot Club Quartette Vol 2

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:15
Size: 92.2 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz, Swing
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. Ravello
[4:10] 2. Out Of Nowhere
[3:12] 3. Viper's Dream
[3:21] 4. Josette
[2:13] 5. Blues En Mineur
[3:32] 6. Don't Worry About Me
[2:15] 7. Someday
[2:31] 8. Rio Margarita
[2:42] 9. El Zopilote Mojado
[2:22] 10. Douce Ambiance
[2:12] 11. Woodinville
[3:11] 12. Some Of These Days
[2:47] 13. Sweet Chorus
[2:09] 14. Travel On

This is the second CD of The Hot Club Quartette following their acclaimed first volume. Rare and popular tunes performed in the old days by legend Django Reinhardt and HCOF. Guest artists include vocalist Marie McGilles and Corey Gemme on cornet.

Hot Club Quartette Vol 2

---

The Bud Shank Quartet - That Old Feeling

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:54
Size: 106,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:20)  1. Whisper Not
(5:54)  2. Dream Dancing
(7:41)  3. Caqbin In The Sky
(4:13)  4. El Wacko
(5:29)  5. No Moe
(5:10)  6. I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
(5:12)  7. As Time Goes By
(5:51)  8. That Old Feeling

After many years of studio work and a period co-leading The L.A. Four, Bud Shank permanently put away his flute and started concentrating exclusively on alto. This modern bop set with pianist George Cables, bassist John Heard and drummer Tootie Heath finds Shank at his most passionate and creative, stretching out on jazz standards and an eccentric blues. 

He shows listeners just how much he has grown as an improviser since gaining his initial fame in the 1950s. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/that-old-feeling-mw0000263757

Personnel:  Bud Shank - alto saxophone;  George Cables – piano;  John Heard – bass;  Albert Heath - drums

That Old Feeling

---

Anette Von Eichel - Golightly

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:21
Size: 122,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Beyonde the sea
(5:34)  2. Speak low
(4:57)  3. Sing sing
(6:05)  4. Moonlight in Vermont
(5:09)  5. Traveling
(8:33)  6. Mean red
(5:33)  7. Cages
(3:52)  8. Tiffany Epiphany
(4:04)  9. Moon river
(5:02) 10. It Might As Well Be Spring

Anette von Eichel s voice is mature, well-rounded, expressive, and full of emotion. On Golightly, she creates a fantastic blend of nostalgic, dreamy sounds and sassy, rebellious gems while paying homage to Truman Capote s legendary literary character Holly Golightly. ~ Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Golightly-Anette-Von-Eichel/dp/B008YDLOHS/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1

Personnel: Anette Von Eichel (vocals); Jesse Van Ruller (guitar); Jasper Blom (clarinet, saxophone); Florian Ross (organ); John Hollenbeck (drums).

Golightly

---

Jim Hall - Dedications & Inspirations

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:32
Size: 146,1 MB
Art: Front

( 4:09)  1. Whistle Stop
( 5:47)  2. Hawk
( 6:32)  3. Canto Nostálgico
( 2:27)  4. Why Not Dance?
( 6:05)  5. João
( 4:29)  6. Seseragi
( 4:17)  7. All the Things You Are
( 2:38)  8. Miro
( 3:05)  9. Monet
(12:48) 10. Bluesography
( 4:41) 11. In A Sentimental Mood
( 1:40) 12. Matisse
( 4:47) 13. Street Dance

Guitarist Jim Hall accompanies himself on this collection of original compositions. Written and performed with various people in mind, including Coleman Hawkins, João Gilberto, and others, the music flows from straight-ahead jazz to Latin styles. 

Dedications & Inspirations is a virtuoso performance that every jazz guitar aficionado should check out. ~ Matt Collar http://www.allmusic.com/album/dedications-inspirations-mw0000182355

Solo performer: Jim Hall (guitar, sound effects).

Dedications & Inspirations

---

Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra - Herb's Book Feat. Herb Harrison

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop, Big Band
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:20
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. Flying Home
(3:43)  2. Memories of You
(2:52)  3. Chip Off the Old Block
(3:08)  4. When You Wish Upon a Star
(2:59)  5. Give Me the Simple Life
(3:59)  6. The Touch of Your Lips
(2:50)  7. All of Me
(3:32)  8. Third Set Sarah
(3:56)  9. It's a Blue World
(3:18) 10. For You
(4:14) 11. The Cat's Meow
(4:34) 12. Like Someone in Love
(5:11) 13. Honeysuckle Rose
(7:36) 14. Bus to Nowhere

When Herb Harrison, director emeritus of Jazz Studies at Cal State University-Sacramento, retired a number of years ago and moved to his wife, Mary's, hometown of Columbus, Ohio, he never envisioned a "second career" writing for and conducting a ready-made big band. That was before he met Vaughn Wiester, whose Famous Jazz Orchestra holds forth each Monday evening at the Columbus Music Hall, and who wasn't about to let talent like Harrison's go to seed. To make a long story short, Harrison, now 82 years young, was soon contributing charts for the orchestra, many of which were recorded over a period of several years by engineer Don Loose. Herb's Book, the FJO's third album since it was formed eight years ago, is devoted entirely to Harrison's arrangements, as sight-read during those Monday evening sessions (that's right, the orchestra doesn't rehearse, usually seeing the music for the first time when the lights go down and the performance begins). 

To pull that off, a leader must have sidemen who know what they're about, and Wiester has some of the Columbus area's best, several of whom have spent time on the road with various bands, as Wiester once did with Woody Herman and others. Drummer John Von Ohlen, a mainstay with Cincinnati's celebrated Blue Wisp Big Band, sits in on the last number, "Bus to Nowhere" (based on Stan Kenton's "Artistry in Rhythm"), one of Harrison's three original compositions (the others are "Third Set Sarah" and "The Cat's Meow"). There's one more, Al Young's "Chip Off the Old Block," to complement ten jazz standards and evergreens from the Great American Songbook. Loose has sought to preserve the informal atmosphere of a live concert, recording the ensemble without amplification through a single pair of microphones located front row center in the audience, which occupies half of the room, while using minimal signal processing and no dynamic compression. The result is quite similar to what one would hear on a given Monday evening at the Columbus Music Hall.

The orchestra sight-reads Herb's Book admirably, while the various soloists do their utmost to keep things bright and interesting. Trombonist Linda Landis is featured on "When You Wish Upon a Star," tenor Brian Olsheski on "Give Me the Simple Life," trombonist Matt Ellis on "All of Me," baritone Bob LeBeau on "For You," Von Ohlen and horn player Sarah Brown on "Bus to Nowhere." A splendid introduction to Herb's Book ; we hope there are many more chapters yet to come. ~ Jack Bowers http://www.allaboutjazz.com/herbs-book-vaughn-wiester-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: (Collective) Vaughn Wiester, music director;  Herb Harrison, conductor, arranger;  John Vermeulen, Tom Ryan, Bryan Olsheski, Bob LeBeau, Michael Cox, Michael Wyatt, Meilana Gillard, Art Silva, reeds;  Erik Gimbel, Larry Everhart, Jim Powell, Bob Larson, Phil Winnard, Ansyn Banks, Brian West, Ben Huntoon, Tim Perdue, trumpet; Linda Landis, Matt Ellis, John Hall, Bill England, Kie Watkins, Ryan Hamilton, Jessica Leach, Matt Benson, trombone; Jim Luellen, piano; Tisha Simeral, Terry Douds, Larry Cook, Chris Michaelides, bass; Steve Schaar, John von Ohlen (14), drums.

Herb's Book Feat. Herb Harrison

---

Torsten Goods - Irish Heart

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:20
Size: 122,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:41)  1. Sweet North
(5:17)  2. No Religion
(5:27)  3. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
(4:20)  4. Moondance
(4:20)  5. She Moved Through the Fair
(3:54)  6. The End Of The Line
(7:03)  7. Carrickfergus
(4:15)  8. What Makes The Irish Heart Beat
(6:40)  9. Riverdance
(2:51) 10. I'm Gonna Go Out Fishing
(4:27) 11. The Londonerry Air

25 year-old guitar-wunderkind Torsten Goods and his new release Irish Heart call out an enthusiastic yes to these questions. Friends of Irish folk music and infectious reels are in for a surprise, and so are fans of Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt or Harry Connick Jr. There is more repertoire out there than the Great American Songbook and Goods’ choices give his twenty-something-quartet a chance to shine.

“On Irish Heart I do what I am”, says the Nuremburg-based son of a Northern Irish mother and German father. This sounds self-evident, but there is a longer story. Sure, Torsten was raised on Irish music. The parents held regular living room sessions featuring passionate renditions of ballads and folk songs from the mother’s home. But this didn’t do much for her son. He steered clear of the Dubliners and Chieftains in the parental record collection, and went straight for Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington. At age 16 he had made up his mind: Jazz it was to be, come what may.

Beauty often lies so close to home. In Torsten Goods case right where his “Irish Heart” beats. It was his mother who taught him to listen to its voice. She is regularly moved to tears by his solo instrumental rendition of the old traditional “The Londonderry Air” that he often played as an encore. Irish Heart is his way of answering the call of his heritage. He does it in style: sensitive, swinging and with a lightning touch, yet perceptive to Northern Ireland’s own troubled history. In the album’s opener Goods’ original “Sweet North” (one of three finger snapping Goods-originals on the album) he admits to being alarmed by the situation in his mother’s country. But he loves this country all the same. http://www.metisse-music.com/en/artists/Torsten%20Goods

Irish Heart

---

The Real Group - Three Decades Of Vocal Music

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:08
Size: 174.3 MB
Styles: Vocal harmony group
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:00] 1. Scandinavian Shuffle
[3:24] 2. Chili Con Carne
[3:51] 3. Mister Father
[4:03] 4. Bad
[3:48] 5. Commonly Unique
[3:59] 6. A Minute On Your Lips
[3:08] 7. Thousand Things
[3:36] 8. Lucky Luke
[3:20] 9. I Tried
[5:00] 10. Count Basie Medley
[3:51] 11. Nostalgia World
[2:44] 12. En Vanlig Gronskas Rika Drakt
[3:27] 13. Bumble Bee
[4:18] 14. Anna's Song
[3:58] 15. Three Poems
[2:52] 16. Eyes Of A Child
[4:40] 17. Friendship
[3:08] 18. A Child Is Born
[1:40] 19. Mu Ruokto Lea Mu Vaimmus
[4:09] 20. Christmas Oratorio
[4:03] 21. Via Tenor

The Real Group is an a cappella quintet from Stockholm, Sweden, consisting of three men and two women. Inspired by Bobby McFerrin, the unit brilliantly performed bop, vocalese, and a few originals on their Town Crier debut, leading Jon Hendricks himself to say, "I wish I was in this group." ~Scott Yanow

Three Decades Of Vocal Music

---

Bill Doggett - Gon' Doggett

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:19
Size: 92.3 MB
Styles: Blues-Jazz-R&B
Year: 1985/2011
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. Honky Tonk Pt. 1
[2:31] 2. Honky Tonk Pt 2
[3:03] 3. Big Boy
[2:04] 4. Slidin'
[2:40] 5. Buttered Popcorn
[6:39] 6. Backwoods
[2:28] 7. Slow Walk
[2:38] 8. Quaker City
[3:18] 9. Night Train
[2:25] 10. Ram-Bunk-Shush
[2:32] 11. Peacock Alley
[2:26] 12. Hold It
[4:31] 13. Rainbow Riot

With his instrumental hit "Honky Tonk" in February 1956, Bill Doggett (born William Ballard Doggett) created one of rock's greatest instrumental tracks. Although it generated scores of offers to perform in rock & roll clubs throughout the United States, Doggett remained tied to the jazz and organ-based R&B that he had performed since the 1930s. Continuing to record for the Cincinnati-based King label until 1960, he went on to record for Warner Brothers, Columbia, ABC-Paramount and Sue. His last session came as a member and producer of an all-star jazz/R&B group, Bluesiana Hurricane in 1995.

Born on the north side of Philadelphia, Doggett struggled with poverty as a youngster. Although he initially dreamed of playing the trumpet, his family was unable to afford lessons. Persuaded by his mother (a church pianist), to try keyboards instead, he quickly mastered the instrument. Hailed as a child prodigy by his 13th birthday, he formed his first band, the Five Majors, at the age of 15. Performing with the Jimmy Gorman Band, the pit orchestra at the Nixon Grand Theater, while still in high school, Doggett assumed leadership of the group in 1938. The experience was brief, however, as Doggett sold the orchestra to Lucky Millinder, with whom he continued to work off and on for the next four years. He made his recording debut on Millinder's tracks, "Little Old Lady From Baltimore" and "All Aboard" in 1939. Although he formed a short-lived orchestra with Benny Goodman's arranger, Jimmy Mundy, in late 1939, Doggett continued to work primarily as a sideman. Playing piano and arranging for the Ink Spots from 1942 until 1944, he went on to arrange tunes for Count Basie's band and tour and/or record with Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Ella Fitzgerald and Lionel Hampton. Replacing Wild Bill Davis in Louis Jordan's band, in 1947, he appeared on the influential tunes, "Saturday Night Fish Fry" and "Blue Light Boogie." He made his debut as an organist during June 1951 recording sessions with Ella Fitzgerald. Debuting his own organ-led combo at New York nightclub, the Baby Grand, in June 1952, Doggett recorded more than a dozen singles before striking gold with "Honky Tonk" four years later. A longtime resident of Long Island, New York, Doggett died on November 13, 1996, three days after suffering a heart attack. ~bio by Craig Harris

Gon' Doggett

---

The Chiffons - Absolutely The Best

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:34
Size: 70.0 MB
Styles: R&B, AM pop
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[1:50] 1. He's So Fine
[2:06] 2. One Fine Day
[2:24] 3. Sweet Talking Guy
[2:22] 4. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
[2:04] 5. My Boyfriend's Back
[2:19] 6. Did You Ever Go Steady
[2:54] 7. Sailor Boy
[2:03] 8. I Have A Boyfriend
[1:53] 9. A Love So Fine
[2:10] 10. I Wonder Why
[2:12] 11. When The Boy's Happy (The Girl's Happy Too)
[2:39] 12. Just For Tonight
[1:41] 13. Tonight I Met An Angel
[1:50] 14. Keep The Boy Happy

The Chiffons scored three of the biggest hits of the girl group era. "He's So Fine," "One Fine Day," and "Sweet Talkin' Guy" pop up on girl group collections regularly and their soulful but light vocals over peppy musical backing can be seen as a template for the girl group sound. Those three songs lead off Fuel 2000's Absolutely the Best!, a budget-priced 14-track collection of the group's work, in stunning fashion. While The Chiffons never did anything to top that holy trio, they did come up with some fine songs, many of which are included here. Sweet ballads like "Did You Ever Go Steady," "I Have a Boyfriend," and "Just for Tonight" were their strong suit, but they could also tear things up politely as "A Love So Fine," the Northern soul-flavored "When the Boy's Happy (The Girl's Happy Too)," and their cover of Dion & the Belmonts' "I Wonder Why" show. Absolutely the Best! is an OK collection, but it does leave off a couple of key songs -- namely the band's ironic cover of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" (recorded after the writer of "He's So Fine" sued Harrison for cribbing the melody for his tune) and the moody and strange "Nobody Knows What's Going On in My Mind But Me," written and produced by the eccentric Brute Force. Unless you are on a tight budget, you should probably spring for One Fine Day on Remember, which features the latter song plus 12 more songs than Absolutely the Best! Or you could try to hunt down a copy of the out of print Best of the Chiffons on Laurie, which has both "My Sweet Lord" and "Nobody Knows." Better still would be a collection that actually had all their best songs on it. Hmm, maybe the next label to attempt it will get it right. Until then, you need to get "He's So Fine," "One Fine Day," and "Sweet Talkin' Guy" into your collection one way or another, and at least Absolutely the Best! does that. ~Tim Sendra

Absolutely The Best

---

Herb Geller Quartet - You're Looking At Me

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:19
Size: 150,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:02)  1. Summer Night
(5:10)  2. Detour Ahead
(4:11)  3. Changes
(4:43)  4. You're Looking At Me
(5:32)  5. Lullaby In Rhythm
(4:09)  6. Orson
(3:42)  7. 9:20 Special
(5:10)  8. Restless
(4:55)  9. Ill Wind
(4:07) 10. All Through the Night
(4:44) 11. The Josephine Baker Suite: The Legend
(4:39) 12. The Josephine Baker Suite: A Bitter Dream
(5:45) 13. The Josephine Baker Suite: Too Little Time
(4:25) 14. The Josephine Baker Suite: I'll Be Back!

For this 1997 recording, the underrated but great altoist Herb Geller doubles on soprano quite effectively and is joined by pianist Jan Lundgren, bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Joe Labarbera. While Carpenter and Labarbera are fairly well-known players who are rated highly for their versatility and ability to sound tasteful and swinging no matter what the setting, Lundgren may be a new name to some. A virtuosic pianist from Sweden who appeared with increasing regularity in Los Angeles in the late 1990s, Lundgren can play in several styles, although here he mostly sticks to modern bop. 

His alert accompaniment behind Geller's solos and his own fresh improvisations uplift the music. The altoist interprets ten veteran songs, some of which (including "Summer Night," and the 1920s "Changes," Billy Strayhorn's "Orson," and "Restless," which is taken as a duet with Lundgren) are not performed that often. The final four numbers on the set are taken from Geller's musical depicting the life of Josephine Baker. The music on the latter cuts, which contains several strong melodies, easily fits into the 1950s/'60s bop style that is prevalent throughout this set. Highly recommended, and just one of several very rewarding Herb Geller dates from the 1990s. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/youre-looking-at-me-mw0000046297

Personnel:  Herb Geller – alto sax / soprano;  Jan Lundgren – piano;  Dave Carpenter – bass;  Joe Labarbera - drums

You're Looking At Me

---

Patricia Dean - Equinox

Styles: Jazz, Vocal

Year: 2007

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 40:34

Size: 93,1 MB

Art: Front

(5:40)  1. Timeless Stories/Footprints

(3:46)  2. Close Your Eyes

(4:47)  3. Tenderly

(5:43)  4. I Got Rhythm

(4:22)  5. I Fall In Love Too Easily

(3:28)  6. In A Mellow Tone

(5:14)  7. For All We Know

(7:31)  8. Awake Our Souls/Equinox

This limited release Cd now available was actually recorded before "Moments Like This" and features original lyrics to Jazz classics "Footprints" and "Equinox". Recorded live, with no overdubbing, this album demonstrates Patricia’s unique ability to sing and play the drums at the same time. The album opens with Wayne Shorter's classic "Footprints" re-titled "Timeless Stories" and expounds on the concept of reflection on the past with respect to our ancestry.

"Close Your Eyes is a sultry Bossa Nova, also included on "Moments Like This" that Patricia enjoys doing in live performances. "Tenderly" pays tribute to one of Patricia’s earliest vocal influences,the unforgettable Miss Sarah Vaughan. It also makes reference to Oscar Peterson's arrangement with a swinging solo by pianist Nat Lee. "I Got Rhythm" is the album's only instrumental and features Patricia’s father, the late Don Dean, Sr. on the clarinet.

"I started working with my Dad when I was 14. Most people knew him as a pianist, but he was also accomplished on the clarinet and alto saxophone. I wanted to record something with him on the clarinet because he never got to play it that much. We had worked together many years and I wanted to do something with him because he had been such a great influence on my career." Pianist David Moore plays some outstanding bebop piano with Patricia taking some impressive 4's on this up-tempo Gershwin standard.

"I Fall In Love Too Easily" and "For All We Know" display Patricia's seasoned approach to ballads, for which her voice is so well suited. Jon Kougher gives us a driving bass intro on "In A Mellow Tone" setting up the tune nicely for Patricia with a swinging solo by Lee that also shows off Patricia's tasteful drumming, ala Ed Thigpen.

The album closes with Patricia's lyrics to John Coltrane's "Equinox" renamed "Awake Our Souls". Patricia's lyrics reflect on the ever changing seasons that perhaps inspired Coltrane's title to this haunting melody. Lee's solo gives reference to his influences of McCoy Tyner and George Duke, building to a dramatic double-time chorus with Patricia making a smooth transition back to the original time-feel, setting up the lyrical bass solo by Kougher taking us back to the opening vamp. Patricia has successfully crafted this album to showcase her talents as a musician, vocalist and lyricist. She has performed with Harry Allen, Kenny Drew, Jr., as well as Jazz legends Nat Adderley, John LaPorta and Ira Sullivan. Patricia is currently performing regularly in the Naples area with trumpeter Bob Zottola and pianist Stu Shelton. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/patriciadean2

Equinox

---

Sofia Talvik - Blue Moon

Styles: Folk, Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:17
Size: 88,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. Blue Moon
(2:54)  2. Ghosts
(3:14)  3. Stop
(2:48)  4. Tonight
(3:00)  5. Blue Highway
(3:20)  6. Cars
(3:16)  7. When Winter Comes
(2:55)  8. Beautiful Naked
(2:25)  9. Borderlines
(2:50) 10. Odyssey
(4:20) 11. Untradeable
(4:05) 12. She's Leaving

Sofia Talvik was born on an island just off the west coast of Sweden. Her debut album Blue Moon took forty intense hours to record and the end result is a collection of songs presented virtually intact from the original live studio sessions. Having earnt a reputation as a great live performer, frequently playing at clubs in and around Stockholm and throughout Sweden, this is naturally the only way of bringing Sofias gentle, almost fragile voice to you and gives the album a unique sound, making it almost timeless in the sense that it could have been recorded twenty years ago as well as twenty years from now. Blue Moon was released in May 2005, and got rave reviews from press all over Sweden. http://music.sofiatalvik.com/track/blue-moon

Blue Moon

---

GRP All-Star Big Band - GRP All-Star Big Band

Styles: Big Band
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:45
Size: 164,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Airegin
(4:35)  2. Blue Train
(4:13)  3. Donne Lee
(6:34)  4. Maiden Voyage
(6:48)  5. Sister Sadie
(6:39)  6. The Sidewinder
(5:59)  7. Seven Steps To Heaven
(5:33)  8. I Remember Clifford
(6:54)  9. Footprints
(6:55) 10. Manteca
(7:01) 11. 'Round Midnight
(5:18) 12. Spain

When this CD was released, it was a major surprise. GRP is a label whose initial reputation was made on pop-ish jazz. However, co-founders Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen always had a love for the sound of big bands and for hard bop. For this set, they gathered together some of the most notable players on their label to play 12 jazz standards dating from the mid-'40s ("Donna Lee") up to the early '70s ("Spain"). The lineup of musicians is quite impressive, comprised of trumpeters Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, and Sal Marquez; trombonist George Bohanon (who had to be imported since GRP did not have any trombonists); a reed section of Eric Marienthal, Nelson Rangell, Bob Mintzer, Ernie Watts and Tom Scott; bassist John Patitucci; drummer Dave Weckl; and several alternating pianists (Grusin, Russell Ferrante, Kenny Kirkland, and David Benoit), plus such guests as guitarist Lee Ritenour, flutist Dave Valentine, vibraphonist Gary Burton, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, and percussionist Alex Acuna. 

On the strictly straight-ahead set, which has such tunes as "Blue Train," "Sister Sadie," "The Sidewinder," and "Manteca," all of the musicians are featured adequately. It is a particular revelation hearing Marienthal and Rangell sound passable in this setting. Easily recommended to hard bop and big band collectors. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/grp-all-star-big-band-mw0000612127

GRP All-Star Big Band: Lee Ritenour (guitar), Tom Scott, Eric Marienthal, Nelson Rangell, Ernie Watts, Bob Mintzer (saxophone), Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Sal Marquez (trumpet), George Bohanon (trombone), Dave Valentine (flute), Eddie Daniels (clarinet), Gary Burton (vibraphone), Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Kenny Kirkland, Russell Ferrante (piano, keyboards), John Patitucci (bass), Dave Weckl (drums), Alex Acuna (percussion).

GRP All-Star Big Band

---