I know what you're thinking, because I had the same thoughts when I received this new album for review. Boots Randolph, the guy whose honkin' sax ruled Nashville for years, is still around? The guy who struck gold with "Yakety Sax" is still tooting his horn? Well, yeah -- and the truth is, he sounds … Continue reading REVIEW: Boots Randolph – A Whole New Ballgame
Category: Jazz
Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
When Benny Carter died in 2003, he was just a month short of his 96th birthday -- and only a few years removed from performing. From his beginnings in the late 1920's, he was a force in jazz for eight decades. But it would be wrong to attribute his legacy to his longevity, as special … Continue reading Benny Carter – Eight Decades Of Excellence
REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
Start with a pair of virtuoso musicians, two guys who have twenty Grammys between them but have worked together only sporadically. Add in the freedom to explore and create, and then turn them loose. That's the recipe for this exciting new Concord album, The Enchantment, featuring legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea and Béla Fleck, the … Continue reading REVIEW: Chick Corea/Béla Fleck – The Enchantment
REVIEW: Hector Martignon – Refugee
If you're into Latin jazz, you might want to take a look at the new album, Refugee, by pianist Hector Martignon and his friends. If Latin jazz dominated by percussion is to your taste, then you can delete the word "might" from my first sentence, because you will absolutely love this one. It's a lively … Continue reading REVIEW: Hector Martignon – Refugee
Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
The more time I spend looking into the history of music and musicians, the more I realize the magnitude of my ignorance. I've always enjoyed music, but for most of my life it was pretty much just an aural experience for me, and I seldom delved too deeply into the backgrounds of the musicians themselves. … Continue reading Dinah Washington – Queen Of The Blues
REVIEW: Norman Brown – Stay With Me
Say what you will about smooth jazz, but when you're in a receptive mood and it's being performed by talented musicians, it can be a very nice listening experience. Contemporary jazz guitarist Norman Brown provides that feeling with ease in his new album, Stay With Me, just out on the Peak Records (Concord) label, but … Continue reading REVIEW: Norman Brown – Stay With Me
REVIEW: Poncho Sanchez – Raise Your Hand
Poncho Sanchez is no stranger to Latin jazz fans. He's been voted number one percussionist in both DownBeat and Jazz Times reader’s polls for the past three years, and has been a driving force in the genre for over two decades. But on his new album for Concord Picante, Raise Your Hand, Sanchez - who … Continue reading REVIEW: Poncho Sanchez – Raise Your Hand
REVIEW: Joel Frahm – We Used To Dance
Talented, experienced, respected -- all terms that come to mind when describing tenor saxman Joel Frahm, but the one that comes most to my mind is versatile. That quality is prominently displayed on his new album, We Used To Dance, due out soon on the Anzic label. It provides him plenty of opportunities to demonstrate … Continue reading REVIEW: Joel Frahm – We Used To Dance
Adventures In Highway Travel – From Yellowstone To Route 66
The approach of warm Summer weather means the news is full of predictions about how the increase in auto use will mean higher gas prices, proving once again that self-fulfilling prophecies are easy when you have a bunch of analysts who own oil stock. But I'd rather focus on a time when you could pleasantly … Continue reading Adventures In Highway Travel – From Yellowstone To Route 66
REVIEW: Alvin Queen – I Ain’t Looking At You
Any time you read something promoting a jazz musician, whether it's the album notes or publicity info of other kinds, one of the obligatory components is always a list of other musicians the artist has played with at some time or another. Assuming those names are recognizable, it serves to establish some legitimacy. (If the … Continue reading REVIEW: Alvin Queen – I Ain’t Looking At You
Geezer Music Club 