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
Category: Review
REVIEW: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price – Last Of The Breed
Last of the Breed, recently released on the Lost Highway label and featuring Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price (and some guest stars, but more later about that) is the kind of album I enjoy -- legends singing legendary songs. But I needed to get past a couple of things before I could review … Continue reading REVIEW: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price – Last Of The Breed
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
REVIEW: Kurt Elling – Nightmoves
Irony runs rampant in my review of jazz singer Kurt Elling's Nightmoves, which is brand new on the Concord label, the first of his three record deal with them. The seven-time Grammy nominee was previously a long-standing part of Blue Note's stable of performers, and during his time with them pretty much became the top … Continue reading REVIEW: Kurt Elling – Nightmoves
REVIEW: Various Artists – Swamp Gold – Volume 8
If you were a teenager in the South in the 1950's or 1960's, you might think some of the music on this album is very familiar. If you grew up in South Louisiana, following the music and hitting the bayou dancehalls, it's almost a sure thing that you'll remember a lot of these songs. Swamp … Continue reading REVIEW: Various Artists – Swamp Gold – Volume 8
REVIEW: Don Rich – You Need Love
Even if you're into country music in a big way, it's entirely possible that the music of Don Rich isn't familiar to you, unless you're a fan of the earlier Don Rich, who in the early 1970's was the leader of the Buckaroos, the band that backed Buck Owens. But we're here to talk about … Continue reading REVIEW: Don Rich – You Need Love
REVIEW: Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’ (Van Gelder)
This is my fifth review (1, 2, 3, 4) in a series of releases from Prestige Records that feature legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder's remastered versions of his own originals. In this outing, originally recorded in 1956, the title says it all: Cookin' With The Miles Davis Quintet. Joining Davis in the quintet were … Continue reading REVIEW: Miles Davis Quintet – Cookin’ (Van Gelder)
REVIEW: Bennie Wallace – Disorder At The Border
When making a tribute album, I would think that an artist would have to walk a fine line between truly saluting a legendary musician or being perceived as trading on the fame of the past master. That sounds like a tricky task, but I think it's been done the right way with this new release … Continue reading REVIEW: Bennie Wallace – Disorder At The Border
REVIEW: Benny Reid – Findings
Let me start by saying that my favorite jazz instrument is the saxophone - and to get even more specific, the alto sax - and I've spent a lot of time enjoying past and current masters. However, I'm afraid I'm not quite ready to include Benny Reid, the star of a new Concord release, Findings, … Continue reading REVIEW: Benny Reid – Findings
REVIEW: Joey DeFrancesco – Live – The Authorized Bootleg
Live albums are often a mixed bag, with the negative side encompassing the possibility of recording equipment problems, background noise, and the inability to have a "do-over", something that's always available in a studio. Offsetting that is the excitement and spontaneity that can only come from accomplished musicians performing for an appreciative and knowledgeable audience, … Continue reading REVIEW: Joey DeFrancesco – Live – The Authorized Bootleg
Geezer Music Club 