Doug MacDonald: “Serenade To Highland Park” (2021) CD Review

Highland Park is a section of Los Angeles where I spent many memorable nights. Years ago, The Peak Show had a space on York Blvd. where they would throw fantastic parties, concerts that would go deep into the night, featuring the area’s best bands. The area has changed quite a lot since then, but I still have the fondest of feelings for Highland Park. Clearly I am not alone in that, as evidenced by the title of Doug MacDonald’s excellent new release, Serenade To Highland Park. Interestingly, earlier this year Doug MacDonald released another album whose title refers to a section of Los Angeles, that album being Toluca Lake Jazz. The group for this new album is the trio of Doug MacDonald on guitar, Mike Flick on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums, and the music is mostly standards, along with two original compositions, including the title track.

Serenade To Highland Park opens with a cover of “Days Of Wine And Roses,” with that gentle and easygoing vibe. Doug MacDonald’s guitar playing feels so natural, the notes falling like rain, like petals. It’s always a joy to listen to his guitar work. This track also features a good lead by Mike Flick on bass, and Paul Kreibich gets a chance to demonstrate his talent on drums with some delicious fills in the second half. That’s followed by “Manhã De Carnaval (Carnival Morning),” a tune that presents a guitarist with an opportunity to shine, as Doug MacDonald does here. The song’s groove might keep us grounded, but this track is still able to transport us to another place, another time, one that is pleasant. Doug MacDonald then gets into the blues with a cover of “Next Time You See Me,” written by Earl Forest and Bill Harvey. This is a song I first heard on an old Grateful Dead concert tape, with Ron McKernan (better known as Pigpen) on vocals, and I was hooked. Doug MacDonald’s version has a bit of a hop to it, and a bit of swing, and is wonderful. Blues that make you smile, you know? This track features a cool lead on bass, and some short drum solos, which I appreciate.

We then get the first of the two original compositions, “Hortense,” which Doug MacDonald had included on his 2019 album Organisms. This new version has a kind of sweet and amused bent, and you can almost see the smile on Doug MacDonald’s face as he’s playing. The tune’s theme is somewhat catchy, and I dig that work on drums, the way they find opportunities to break out, and then relax again. That’s followed by an interesting rendition of “Dearly Beloved” which has a sense of urgency as it begins, and keeps moving from there, Doug MacDonald’s work on guitar having a lively, sprightly sense. And it is here where we get a strong drum solo, which feels totally fitting. Then “More Than You Know” begins with a guitar solo before easing into a sweet late-night rhythm. There is warmth to the playing, like being cozy under a thick, soft blanket where no harm may come. “Shadow Waltz,” which follows, has a light vibe and features a good lead on bass.

This music will likely get you feeling good, even optimistic, particularly this version of “They Say It’s Wonderful,” a song written by Irving Berlin for Annie Get Your Gun. There is a good deal of cheer in the playing, and that cheer seems to effortlessly transfer to the listener. A lot of that is in Doug MacDonald’s style. “They Say It’s Wonderful” is followed by “Brazil,” a song I love. This version begins with some solo guitar work, easing in, and then the moment Doug MacDonald starts that familiar theme, the other musicians come in. I still think of the Terry Gilliam’s film when I hear this, but these days I also think of Pink Martini, a group that closes its shows with this song. Anyway, Doug MacDonald delivers a totally enjoyable rendition that features a great drum solo in the second half. This is one of my personal favorite tracks.

The album’s second original composition is “Serenade To Highland Park,” the album’s title track, which creates a relaxed, mellow atmosphere, feeling like a casual and lovely stroll through the streets in the evening. An evening of taking in the surrounding area, and perhaps even turning inward at moments. That’s followed by a seriously fun rendition of “Frenesi” that swings and moves and breathes. The album concludes with another fun track, a rendition of “You Stepped Out Of A Dream” that has a good amount of energy and joy, a perfect way to wrap things up.

CD Track List

1. Days Of Wine And Roses
2. Manhã De Carnaval (Carnival Morning)
3. Next Time You See Me
4. Hortense
5. Dearly Beloved
6. More Than You Know
7. Shadow Waltz
8. They Say It’s Wonderful
9. Brazil
10. Serenade To Highland Park
11. Frenesi
12. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

Serenade To Highland Park is scheduled to be released on November 16, 2021.