Wayne Alpern: “Skeleton” (2019/2020) CD Review

Wayne Alpern is a composer and arranger based in New York. His new release, Skeleton, finds him mostly arranging the material of other composers, including some well-known and beloved pieces such as “Take Five,” “Blue Moon” and “If I Only Had A Brain,” and mixing in more modern tunes too. In fact, there is only one original composition on this disc, which also happens to be one of the best tracks. The group assembled for this album includes Noah Bless, Mike Boschen, Michael Davis, Nick Grinder, Jason Jackson, Matt McDonald and James Rogers on trombone; Sam Hoyt and David Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn; Billy Test on piano; Evan Gregor on bass; and Josh Bailey on drums.

The CD opens with a cover of “Domino,” a song by Jessie J. When the track begins, there is the noise of a crowd, and it seems like a live album, but that background noise soon dies away as the song gets going. This tune is a fun combination of jazz and disco, music to get your toes tapping and your body swaying. I love the way the horns fly over that strong disco bass line, particularly that section in the second half of the track. I hadn’t heard Jessie J’s original rendition before, but I have now, and I certainly prefer this version by Wayne Alpern. Toward the end, we hear the crowd again, which feels odd. That’s followed by a good version of Charlie Parker’s “Anthropology,” which is basically all horns. It has a cool, loose, almost improvised vibe, which gives it a fun feel. There is some nice, unobtrusive drum work below the horns.

The first jazz album I ever owned was The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Time Out, which features that fantastic recording of “Take Five.” It’s probably impossible to beat Dave Brubeck on that tune, but Wayne Alpern’s arrangement here is excellent. The horns have most of the power in this version, driving things upward and outward at times, and there is also plenty of great work on drums. Something I’ve always loved about this tune is that intriguing beat, the room the drummer has to get a bit creative, and Josh Bailey delivers some wonderful stuff here. That’s followed by a completely delightful and unusual take on “Blue Moon.” It feels almost like a totally vocal rendition, except that the voices are horns. Seriously, it’s like an arrangement for an a cappella group. There are even finger snaps at times. I love this.

This group of musicians then delivers a seriously fun and groovy version of “Mercy Mercy Mercy,” a tune written by Joe Zawinul and originally recorded by Cannonball Adderley. I really like this version. Everyone is grooving here, but it is Billy Test’s work on piano that really makes this rendition something special. It has a different ending than usual, surprisingly concluding with drums. Things take a romantic turn with a nice rendition of Frank Loesser’s “I’ve Never Been In Love Before.” Ah yes, this is how I felt when I met the love of my life. I thought I had known love, but it was nothing like this. Things were different, and still are now, ten years later. I’m still in “this helpless haze.” I particularly like the bass on this track. There is also a whimsical character to some of the work of the horns, which I enjoy.

We then get the album’s one original track, and it is an absolute delight. Titled “Blue Bones,” it immediately sets itself apart with its sense of humor and its style. There is something theatrical about it, like it should back a routine by some beloved comedian of a bygone time, or should be featured in a period film. This is one of my personal favorites on this album. It is followed by “Happy,” a song written by Pharrell Williams, and one I was not previously familiar with. Apparently, it was featured in a children’s animated movie. It has a rather cheerful rhythm and vibe, appropriate for its title, and includes a brief bass solo. Wayne Alpern chooses to follow that modern song with Jerome Kern’s “I’m Old Fashioned,” a playful choice, as it begins with the line “I am not such a clever one about the latest fads.” I really like this rendition, its pacing, the way it progresses, and its energy. It has a sudden ending.

Wayne Alpern delivers a sweet and light and cheerful rendition of “At Last.” I’m not sure I’ve ever heard this song approached quite like this before, but it works surprisingly well. It has a rhythm that will likely have you smiling before long, and then the horns at times blast over that. This is a completely enjoyable rendition. “Life is like a song,” indeed! That is followed by another fun track, a goofy and playful take on “If I Only Had A Brain.” What a pleasure it is to listen to this rendition. The disc then takes another unexpected turn, toward the classical, with a track titled “Handle With Care,” music by George Frideric Handel. “I.G.Y.” is a song from Donald Fagen’s first solo album, released in 1982 (following the breakup of Steely Dan). This rendition has something of a reggae rhythm. The album then closes with a sweet rendition of Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” featuring the horn section.

CD Track List

1. Domino
2. Anthropology
3. Take Five
4. Blue Moon
5. Mercy Mercy Mercy
6. I’ve Never Been In Love Before
7. Blue Bones
8. Happy
9. I’m Old Fashioned
10. At Last
11. If I Only Had A Brain
12. Handle With Care
13. I.G.Y.
14. Joy Spring

Skeleton is scheduled to be released on CD on January 1, 2020. It is available digitally now.

Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters: “Christmas On A Greyhound Bus” (2019) CD Review

Try as we might to deny it, the holidays are upon us. And so it is time for a new group of Christmas records and CDs to be released. But do not fear, for some of these releases are actually quite good. Such is the case with Christmas On A Greyhound Bus, the new EP from Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters. I was turned onto this band a few years ago, with the release of On The Ropes, an album that featured mostly original material and also an unusual take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” That album was followed by a self-titled disc in 2017, and then a live album. And now we’re treated to this holiday EP, which features a mix of originals and covers. The band is made up of Amanda Anne Platt on vocals and acoustic guitar; Matthew Smith on pedal steel and electric guitar; Evan Martin on drums, keys and vocals; and Rick Cooper on bass, acoustic guitar and vocals.

One thing I appreciate about this album is the choice of cover material. You’ll find no blasted “Rudolph” or “Jingle Bells” here. The disc opens with “Pretty Paper,” a song written by Willie Nelson and originally recorded by Roy Orbison. Willie Nelson then released his own version, using it as the title track to his 1979 holiday LP. Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters’ rendition has a sweet and gentle country vibe, with some nice touches on pedal steel. What I really love about it, however, is Amanda Anne Platt’s beautiful and heartfelt vocal performance. “There he sits all alone on the sidewalk/Hoping that you won’t pass him by/Should you stop, better not, much too busy/You’re in a hurry, my how time does fly.”

The band follows that with an original number, “Christmas On A Greyhound Bus,” the EP’s title track, written by Amanda Anne Platt. There are few places I can think of that would be worse to spend a holiday, or any day for that matter, than a Greyhound bus. But this is a really good song, about leaving a marriage during the holiday and hitting the road. “Now I’m spending Christmas on a Greyhound bus/Drinking tequila from a paper cup/Put all my money on the sun coming up.” They then change gears with a cover of “Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy,” a tune written by Buck Owens and Don Rich. I’ve been listening to a lot of Buck Owens music lately, what with the release of that ten-disc boxed set The Bakersfield Sound, and I haven’t quite gotten my fill yet. This is a fun, playful number, and Amanda Anne Platt gets the right tone, keeping things a bit loose. There is even a bit of a laugh in her voice at moments, which is perfect.

The band then delivers another original song, “One For The Ages,” a gorgeous and moving song that takes place on Christmas Eve. When people talk about that holiday spirit, this is the kind of thing I imagine. It has a warm and passionate sound. Cuddle up next to the twinkling lights, the fire, or whatever it is that gives you pleasure, that gives you that safe and secure feeling, and listen to this song. Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters conclude the EP with a good rendition of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding,” a song I’ve always associated with Elvis Costello, but which was actually written by Nick Lowe. It is a song that once again feels timely. If you’re not familiar with it, here is a taste of the lyrics: “As I walk on/Through troubled times/You know my spirit gets so downhearted sometimes/Where are the strong?/Who are the trusted?/Where is the harmony?”

CD Track List

1. Pretty Paper
2. Christmas On A Greyhound Bus
3. Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
4. One For The Ages
5. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love And Understanding 

Christmas On A Greyhound Bus is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2019.

Big Beat: “Sounds Good, Feels Good” (2019) CD Review

Big Beat is a big band that incorporates soul and funk into its sound, and into its style, with some incredibly enjoyable results. The group was founded by bassist Charlie Dougherty, saxophone player Phil Engsberg, trombone player Caleb Rumley and pianist Ryan Tomski, and has since grown into a nineteen-piece monster of a band, featuring a whole hell of a lot of horns. These guys have put out a couple of EPs, and now have released their debut full-length album. Titled Sounds Good, Feels Good, this disc features mostly original material, along with a few cool covers. And what an apt album title, for these tracks sound so good and make me feel good too. I’m guessing they’ll have the same effect on most people. Gather some friends, put this album on, and enjoy.

The CD opens with “I Wanna Talk With You,” a delicious, kind of funky dance tune featuring horns and positive vibes. It was written by the band’s vocalist, Allison McKenzie. She sings, “All I really want is to be with you.” Well, all right then! I dig that section with percussion and that horn, reminding me of Honk! Festival back in Boston. This music has that feel, you know, like a celebration of humanity. We could use some sort of celebration these days, right? Things then turn mellower with a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” a soulful pop tune from his Songs In The Key Of Life album. Caleb Rumley did the arrangement for this rendition, which focuses on Allison’s vocal performance and includes some great touches on horns. That’s followed by a cover of The Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back.” It’s a good version, with some nice play between Allison’s voice and the horns. My favorite part of this track, however, is that instrumental section in the second half which features some great stuff from the horn section, particularly on saxophone, as well as some excellent work on drums.

“Just Too Much” is a delicious jam to get you on your feet, composed by trombone player Caleb Rumley, who also conducted the band on this release. This is groovy, funky, and a serious amount of fun. Tremendous playing by all musicians, and oh man, that bass is making my world better. Then we get this cool section toward the end that has a looser vibe. This track has some great drumming, even a brief solo at the end, helping to make it one of my personal favorites on this album. I could listen to this all day. Then “It’s Love” begins tentatively, like the song is sneaking in. The first line is, “They say I’m crazy,” and, yeah, that explains the sneaky vibe. This crazy woman is not supposed to be here. But then she tells us, “It’s love.” Maybe, maybe. But maybe a restraining order is necessary. “They say I’m losing it/Just can’t seem to keep my grip.” This track is a cover, written and originally performed by Jill Scott. “I’ll Be Burning For You” follows. The horns are in control at the start of this one, then ease back for the entrance of Allison’s smooth vocals. I dig that section with just vocals and drums; that sort of thing has appealed to me since I was a kid, when pop songs by law had to include such a section. This track was written by Allison McKenzie, and arranged by Charlie Dougherty.

“All The Love” is a mellower, romantic number, also composed by Allison McKenzie. It features some nice work on flute, and builds in energy toward the end. Things then get kind of funky with “A Penny For Your Thoughts,” composed by Phil Engsberg. This track has a loose, kind of playful style, like it’s ready to try different avenues, and it features more great drumming, which I love. And then at a certain point in the second half it starts to rock, to really come together and move forward with a wonderful force. It does then relax again a bit as the track goes in another direction. The album closes with “Miss America,” a song about the opposing ways we feel currently about the country, and an undeniable need for change. I like the comparison of a certain segment of the population with vultures. Allison McKenzie wrote this song. “And I don’t know what to say/I don’t even know how to change it,” she sings at one point, voicing the frustration so many of us feel these days. But the song is positive, optimistic: “America, you’re beautiful/You’ve got work to do.”

CD Track List

1. I Wanna Talk With You
2. Knocks Me Off My Feet
3. I Want You Back
4. Just Too Much
5. It’s Love
6. I’ll Be Burning For You
7. All The Love
8. A Penny For Your Thoughts
9. Miss America 

Sounds Good, Feels Good was released on September 27, 2019.

Mike Zito And Friends: “Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry” (2019) CD Review

Sometimes I forget just how many great songs Chuck Berry was responsible for. But blues guitarist Mike Zito is here to remind us with his new album, Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry, which features twenty famous songs that Chuck Berry wrote (with one exception). Mike Zito, while playing guitar himself on every track, is also joined by guest guitarists on each song. Folks like Robben Ford, Luther Dickinson and Tommy Castro lend their talents to this project. The band backing Mike Zito includes Matthew Johnson on drums, percussion and vocals; Terry Dry on bass, percussion and vocals; and Lewis Stephens on piano and organ. Here is a chance to get reacquainted with some fantastic songs.

Interestingly, the album opens with the song that Chuck Berry did not write, “St. Louis Blues,” an older song that was composed by William C. Handy. This is a song that Chuck Berry included on his 1965 LP Chuck Berry In London. Here Chuck Berry’s grandson Charlie Berry III joins Mike Zito on guitar, which is cool, a great way to start this disc. That’s followed by a lively and delicious rendition of “Rock And Roll Music” that features Joanna Connor on guitar. She has a new album coming out herself, and Mike Zito is a guest on that release. Man, “Rock And Roll Music” is a whole lot of fun, and I’m having a good time revisiting it. We then get “Johnny B. Goode,” one of Chuck Berry’s most famous songs, one the Grateful Dead used to cover fairly often. On this version, Walter Trout joins on guitar, delivering some spirited playing, particularly during that instrumental section. Things are seriously rocking at this point.

Chuck Berry is known for being a pioneer of rock and roll, but he also gave us some fantastic blues tunes. “Wee Wee Hours” is one of those blues tracks, and here Joe Bonamassa joins Mike Zito for a powerful rendition driven by their guitars. These guys seriously jam on this one, and it’s great. That’s followed by the always-fun “Memphis, Tennessee” (here titled “Memphis”) with Anders Osborne. I still remember the first time I heard this song when I was a kid, and being surprised by the song’s final lines. It’s one of Chuck Berry’s best, and this version is really good. We get another tune from Chuck Berry In London, “I Want To Be Your Driver,” featuring Ryan Perry. And then Robben Ford joins Mike Zito for “You Never Can Tell,” a song that is sometimes listed as “C’est La Vie,” a tune that regained popularity after it was featured in the film Pulp Fiction (who doesn’t love that dance scene?). This track is certainly one of the highlights of this release. In addition to some wonderful work on guitar, it features some delicious stuff on keys.

Eric Gales joins Mike Zito for a dynamic rendition of “Back In The USA.” These days you don’t hear a lot of folks saying “I’m so glad I’m living in the USA,” but this song will take you back to the days when it made some sense to say that. That’s followed by “No Particular Place To Go,” one of my favorite Chuck Berry songs. This rendition features Jeremiah Johnson on guitar, and is a lot of fun. Also fun is this version of “Too Much Monkey Business,” which features Luther Dickinson. It is another of the disc’s highlights, and is one to get you dancing and bopping, wherever you may be. I dig the playful vocal delivery. Things then slow down just a bit for a cool version of “Havana Moon,” with Sonny Landreth on guitar.

“Promised Land” is another song that I saw the Grateful Dead perform several times. This is a great, solid rock and roll tune, and this version moves along at a perfect clip. Tinsley Ellis joins Mike Zito for this one, and they both are clearly having a good time with it, and I’d be shocked if anyone listening didn’t also have a good time. That’s followed by “Down Bound Train,” one of Chuck Berry’s coolest songs. Alex Skolnick joins Mike Zito on this bluesy version. Then Richard Fortus joins Zito for “Maybellene,” which was Chuck Berry’s first single and another of his best. This version rocks and features plenty of good stuff on guitar. That’s followed by another great rock and roll song, “School Days,” featuring Ally Venable. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard this one performed as a duet before, but it totally works. “Drop the coin right into the slot/You gotta hear something that’s really hot/With the one you love, you’re making romance/All day long, you’re wanting to dance/Feeling the music from head to toe/Round and round and round we go.”

Both Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith join Mike Zito for a good rendition of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.” Then Tommy Castro performs on a groovin’ version of “Reelin’ And Rockin’.” That’s followed by “Let It Rock,” featuring Jimmy Vivino. And, hell yeah, this version certainly does rock. Albert Castiglia plays on “Thirty Days,” another of Chuck Berry’s best songs. This track is a hell of a lot of fun, another of the disc’s highlights. They really let loose here. The album concludes with Chuck Berry’s silliest and most suggestive song, “My Ding-A-Ling,” this rendition featuring Kid Andersen. What an interesting choice to wrap things up. I love it. “Once I was swimmin' across Turtle Creek/Man, them snappers all around my feet/Sure was hard swimmin' across that thing/With both of my hands holding my ding-a-ling-a-ling.”

CD Track List

1. St. Louis Blues
2. Rock And Roll Music
3. Johnny B. Goode
4. Wee Wee Hours
5. Memphis
6. I Want To Be Your driver
7. You Never Can Tell
8. Back In The USA
9. No Particular Place To Go
10. Too Much Monkey Business
11. Havana Moon
12. Promised Land
13. Down Bound Train
14. Maybellene
15. School Days
16. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
17. Reelin’ And Rockin’
18. Let It Rock
19. Thirty Days
20. My Ding-A-Ling

Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry was released on November 1, 2019 on Ruf Records.

Triggers And Slips: “The Stranger” (2019) CD Review

Triggers And Slips is a band with its own distinct country sound, employing a good dose of rock as well as elements of folk. Based in Salt Lake City, the band is set to release its second full-length CD, The Stranger, which features mostly original material written by Morgan Snow and John Davis. The band is made up of Morgan Snow on vocals, guitar, banjo and harmonica; John Davis on vocals, guitar, lap steel and dobro; Greg Midgley on piano and organ; Page McGinnis on guitar and mandolin; Tommy Mortenson on vocals and bass; and Eric Stoye on drums. There are a few guest musicians joining them on certain tracks.

The Stranger opens with its title track, which has a slow, moody intro, like the song is stretching to get ready. Then suddenly it kicks in to become a groovy, catchy country tune, with a rhythm that at first suggests it is casually moving about on horseback, then builds from there. I especially dig that piano. I also love those vocals, which are perfect for this kind of song, a bit weary, a bit edgy, with some humor and honesty. “We’ve been pushing our luck/And we’re bound to fuck up.” Oh yes. The song is taken up a notch in the second half, taking on more of a rock sound, the electric guitar moving to the fore. From beginning to end, this song goes through several changes, and they all work well. Nate Barkdull plays drums on this track. “The Stranger” is followed by “Natchez Trace,” a song written by Brad McCarly. This one grabs you immediately, beginning softly with just vocals and guitar, then kicks in, taking you with it, developing a haunted vibe. This is a song that conjures ghosts on the roadside, and you can almost see them. Just try not to become one of them. I love that harmonica, which rises from the asphalt to wrap around the hood of your car. “And then all of a sudden everything, everything went dark.” Halfway through the track there is a cool instrumental section.

“Glass Window View” is a beautiful and moving song, more in the folk realm and featuring some nice touches on mandolin. “I was driving home just yesterday, it seems/And you were still waiting for me.” This is one of my personal favorites. It was written by Morgan Snow. Then “Blue Smoke” begins with a driving power, and right away you know this one is going to take us on a ride, though at first we don’t know whether that ride will end in disaster or triumph. But we are eager to go along and find out, regardless of the outcome. “I see your heart’s on your sleeve/And there’s nothing that you said you won’t do/Hey, baby, I’m coming to see you.” I love the way the harmonica takes over at one point, leading the band in a good little jam. Then toward the end, the guitar leads us in an even better jam, and I feel like we’re riding off for good, a glorious Thelma & Louise type of ending, you know? But actually it ends with a Beatles reference and some laughter, sort of releasing us, dispelling some of the magic of the ride. I would have preferred it to explode than fizzle. But up to that point, it is a damn good track, written by John Davis.

The band then goes into bluesy, mellower territory with “I’m Not Your Baby,” which features a really good vocal performance. “I hope you don’t find/Yeah, I said I hope you don’t find your way/Back to me/No, not again/Because I’m not your baby/I’m not your friend.” I also like the work on organ. Sarah DeGraw provides some vocal work on this track. That’s followed by “Old Friends,” a country tune with a positive bent and a passionate vocal performance. “But now I know life’s about choices/It does no good not to feel/And if I only lived in heaven/I’d never know what’s real.” There is a wonderful instrumental section in the second half of the track, featuring some excellent stuff from all the musicians, including Kate MacLeod on violin. “Dig A Hole” is another moving track, this one featuring banjo. The album then concludes with a cover of “Rooster,” written by Jerry Cantrell. I’ve never been a fan of Alice In Chains, but I do like Triggers And Slips’ rendition, which has a soulful, bluesy vibe. “Seems every path leads me to nowhere.”

CD Track List

1. The Stranger
2. Natchez Trace
3. Glass Window View
4. Blue Smoke
5. I’m Not Your Baby
6. Old Friends
7. Dig A Hole
8. Rooster

The Stranger is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2019.

Holland Greco at Gold Diggers, 10-29-19 Concert Review

Holland Greco performing "Saint"

Last night, Boys School, led by guitarist and vocalist Brett Farkas, put on a special show at Gold Diggers in Hollywood. It was a benefit for My Friend’s Place, which helps shelter local homeless youth. It was also a Halloween party, and for the occasion Boys School was called Boys School Zombie Prom Band. Holland Greco got the night off to a fantastic start with a set designed to get folks dancing and smiling. She had a full band backing her, including a horn section. Her set featured mostly original material, though of course there was one Misfits song to help celebrate the upcoming holiday.

At 8:14 p.m., Holland Greco took the stage, and the band wasted no time with introductions or tuning, getting right to the music and positive vibes with “I Found Love.” This is a song for which Holland & Clark released a goofy and delightful video a while back, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you should check it out. “I Found Love” was an excellent choice for set opener, setting the tone for the evening, and featuring a seriously wonderful vocal performance. “I’m not concerned with carrying around the weight of the world.” Holland was on keys for this song, and for most of the set actually, playing her electric ukulele on only a couple of tunes. She followed “I Found Love” with “Lovestruck,” which began with a cool groove on bass to get people moving. And soon a fun disco beat was developed. This venue, by the way, had a spinning disco ball above the dance floor, surrounded by four golden globes, adding to the festive atmosphere. “It’s Tuesday, but it’s close to Halloween, so it’s like a holiday week,” Holland told the crowd after “Lovestruck,” gently urging them to let loose. “Toast To Life” also began with a strong groove. How can you not be affected by that bass line?

“Saint” is one of my personal favorites of Holland’s new material, and it was a lot of fun last night, even though that song did not feature that great horn section. “So hot, so hot.” Things got funky there toward the end. And, yes, Holland did make use of her fan prop. She followed that with a much older song, “Flashback,” one I am always happy to hear. I was particularly fond of what the horns brought to the song last night. Holland then switched from keys to electric ukulele for an excellent rendition of “Guilty Pleasure Zone,” a song that she played during the soundcheck and one for which she has changed her approach somewhat. I’ve always enjoyed this song, but I think it now sounds better than ever before. It was one of the highlights of the set for me.

Halloween is the best holiday of the year (followed closely by St. Patrick’s Day), and Holland Greco helped get the crowd into the spirit of the holiday with a cool Misfits cover, “Hollywood Babylon.” She played electric ukulele on this one too, adding a few interesting touches on it I don’t recall hearing her do before. She followed that with “We Could Still (Get It On),” her new single, which is available on vinyl. “We put a lot of heart and soul and love into the making of it, the writing of it, the recording of it, everything, so I’m happy to play it for you guys tonight,” Holland told the audience. The song has some soul, a bit of funk, and a lot of joy. She also delivered a thoroughly enjoyable rendition of “What Is Dark.” “Don’t give up on our love/Don’t give up on me.” She then wrapped up her set with the bright and cheerful “Real Love,” another song to get folks dancing. But Holland was not quite done, for she joined Boys School on tambourine for “Spooky,” and then sang lead on “He’s A Rebel.” Yeah, Boys School’s set last night featured a lot of classic rock and pop tunes, most of them fitting the holiday, such as “I Put A Spell On You.” It was a fun night, to be sure.

Holland Greco’s Set List

1. I Found Fun
2. Lovestruck
3. Toast To Life
4. Saint
5. Flashback
6. Guilty Pleasure Zone
7. Hollywood Babylon
8. We Could Still (Get It On)
9. What Is Dark
10. Real Love

Here are a few photos from her set:

"Toast To Life"

"Saint"

 

"Guilty Pleasure Zone"

"Guilty Pleasure Zone"

"What Is Dark"

Gold Diggers is located at 5632 Santa Monica Blvd., in Hollywood, California. By the way, the beers on tap are all local treats, and are not overpriced, a pleasant surprise.

Terrence Wintersmith: “A Walk In The Woods” (2019) CD Review

Terrence Wintersmith is certainly enjoying an interesting and eclectic career, as vocalist and pianist, as well as composer, having worked in the pop and country realms with a variety of artists, including Laura Branigan and Floyd Cramer. In more recent years, he has turned to jazz. His new release, A Walk In The Woods, features all original material, with different styles and moods. Most of the tracks on this EP are instrumentals, but two feature vocals. All tracks feature talented musicians.

A Walk In The Woods opens with its title track, the percussion at the beginning setting the location as someplace exotic, perhaps even mysterious. As soon as the track kicks in, we know we are in a place of beauty, a place without danger. If you are looking for an instrumental track to lift your spirits and get you back in touch with life, humanity, the universe and the great rhythm of it all, well, here it is. This tune makes me smile, sure, but it also somehow makes my entire body lighter, happier. How refreshing this is. Joining Terrence Wintersmith on this track are Carina Bruwer on flute, Zakhar Valahar on violin, Gergo Bille on flugelhorn and trumpet, and Larry Salzman on percussion. Terrence then changes gears with “Ridgetop,” a tune that has almost a cheesy pop element to it, but manages to avoid going too deeply in that direction, and instead develops a beauty. I love the way that horn soars in the second half. George Tidwell is on flugelhorn, Fred Bogert is on guitar, Dave Pomeroy is bass, and Chester Thompson is on drums. This disc then goes in yet another direction, this time to a cool, kind of relaxed jazzy guitar piece, “I’m Always Dreaming.” Marcel Camargo delivers some wonderful stuff on guitar, while Eivind Opsvik provides some good work on double bass, and Brian Griffin keeps the mellow groove on drums.

“Jumping And Jiving” is one of two tracks on this EP to feature vocals, and they have a delicious style, almost like you’d expect them to be performed a cappella. The vocals are performed by Terrence Wintersmith, Patricia Lee and David E. Greene. This is a song about days gone by, and the sound fits well with its subject. “Back in the days when they were jumping and jiving/To a twenty-piece band and a drummer that laid it down/There was a beat/On every street/Swing was the king uptown.” I love Jeff Coffin’s work on saxophone. Plus, this track features some cool work by Frederick Boyle on keys. Tom Roady is on percussion. That’s followed by “A Vida Que Eu Sonhei,” the other track to feature vocals, this time by Jessica Jeza Vauter. This one has quite a different feel, with a Latin groove and a pleasant sound on keys. Bruno Elizabetsky delivers some pretty work on guitar, and Chris White adds some nice touches on saxophone. The EP then concludes with “Amalfi,” which has a pleasing and positive vibe, the flute sounding like sunlight playing in a garden. That is Carina Bruwer again on flute. Terrence Wintersmith’s work on piano is at the heart of the piece. This track has a relaxing effect, as if removing our burdens and taking our hand to lead us somewhere beautiful.

CD Track List

1. A Walk In The Woods
2. Ridgetop
3. I’m Always Dreaming
4. Jumping And Jiving
5. A Vida Que Eu Sonhei
6. Amalfi

A Walk In The Woods was released on October 15. 2019.