CD Review: Cece Gable: "Next Year's Song"

Today I am reviewing a new CD from Vocalist CeCe Gable.  CeCe has gathered a fine group of veteran musicians to join her on her CD, "Next Year's Song".  CeCe Gable has a believable voice that tells the

listener that she has lived every lyric she sings.  Harvie S the Bassist and Producer for "Next Year's Song" says "She's an honest singer".  That's what I hear also.  The CD contains a wonderful playlist of songs that all have one thing in common, great story-telling lyrics.  

Joining CeCe are a group of super-star musicians that any Vocalist would love.  On Piano is the remarkable Alan Broadbent, on Bass is Harvie S, on Guitar is Ron Ben-Hur and Matt Wilson is on Drums.  They provide the perfect support for CeCe's voice and style.

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can hear this wonderful singer for yourself.  The first song I selected was the evergreen uptempo version of "Just One Of Those Things".  Written by Cole Porter in 1939 the song and lyric still sing to me.  The second song is "Moments Like This".  I was not familiar with this song but CeCe does a great job expressing the message of the lyric.   

                                                          "Just One Of Those Things' 

                                                                 "Moments Like This"

Playlist:

1. Next Year's Song

2. No Moon At All

3. Two For The Road

5. Like A Lover

6. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life

7. The Last Goodbye 

8. My Romance

9. Moments Like This

10. Come Rain Or Come Shine

11. From Me To You

Players:

CeCe Gable: Vocals

Alan Broadbent: Piano

Harvie S: Bass

Roni Ben-Hur: Guitar

Matt Wilson: Drums

CD Review: Roseanna Vitro, "Sing A Song Of Bird"

 

Vocalist Roseanna Vitro has just released her new CD, "Sing A Song Of Bird" that is a celebration of  Alto Sax player Charlie "Bird" Parker.   She conceived and created this project because of her desire to develop new lyrics to Charlie Parker tunes.  The results provide all of us with some wonderful and creative Jazz sounds and lyrics.   Roseanna is joined vocally on this CD by three truly outstanding Jazz Vocalists,  Sheila Jordan, Bob Dorough and Marion Cowings, all three favorites of hers.  Together these four Jazz Vocalists, all Charlie Parker admirers put together new lyrics to six of his compositions.  

"Sing A Song Of Bird" is more than a celebration of Bird's music.  This CD is very special because at the time it was recorded Bob Dorough was 94 and has since pasted while Sheila Jordan is 89 and is still going strong.

Roseanna Vitro is a brilliant musician still performing and creating new and exciting Jazz ideas.  Everything she touches is performed at the highest professional Jazz level.  She remains a major link for all Jazz fans to our rich American Jazz history which helps to keep Jazz alive forever! 

I have attached two "YouTube" selections of this fun Album.  The first one, "Grapple With The Apple" is a solo by Roseanna Vitro scatting at her usual high level.  She is joined by Mark Gross on Sax, Jason Teborek on Piano,  Dean Johnson on Bass and Bill Goodwin on Drums.   The Second selection is "Parker's Mood" a terrific Blues tune sung by Marion Cowings.  Marion is joined by special guest Gary Bartz on Alto Sax.  Gary provides some wonderful Sax work along with the always great Alan Broadbent on Piano, Dean Johnson on Bass and Alvester Garnett on Drums.

                                                             "Grapple With The Apple"

                                                                     "Parker's Mood"

Playlist:

1. People Chase

2. The Scatter

3. Bird's Song

4. Parker's Mood

5. Grapple With The Apple

6. Audubon's New Bluebird

7. Sheila, Jazz Child

8. Quasimodo

9. Now's The Time

10. Yardbird Suite

11. Koko / Cherokee

12. These Foolish Things

Players:

Roseanna Vitro- Vocals

Bob Dorough- Vocals

Sheila Jordan- Vocals

Marion Cowings- Vocals

Jason Teborek-Piano

Dean Johnson- Bass

Mark Gross- Alto Sax

Gary Bartz- Alto Sax

Alan Broadbent- Piano

Alvester Garnett- Drums

                                                           

A Review of "From California With Love". West Coast Musicians Step Up To Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Diane Hubka

I recently came across a new CD produced as a result of an idea that came from the great singer/guitarist Diane Hubka and renowned producer Bill Reed of SSJ Records. Japan has always been a welcome place for American Jazz performers, and the purpose of this new CD is an attempt by this group of talented musicians to return the love in Japan's time of need. 100% of all sales goes to Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief.

Bill Reed

The CD includes some familiar and respected singers and musicians featuring tracks from: Diane Hubka, Alan Broadbent, Jim Cox, Johnny Holiday, Christian Jacob, Leslie Lewis, Dick Noel, Frankie Randall, Sue Raney, Kurt Reichenbach, Dan Sawyer, Tierney Sutton, Pinky Winters, and a special bonus track by the late Chris Connor.

There are 13 tracks on this CD and if you love hearing superb singers and musicians playing great songs, you must buy this CD. Every singer and musician on this CD will leave you wanting more.

List of Album Tracks and Performers:
1.   Blue Skies: Sue Raney and Alan Broadbent
2.   Sweet and Lovely: Alan Broadbent
3.   Strike Up The Band: Johnny Holiday and Sam Most
4.   Skylark: Leslie Lewis and Gerard Hagen
5.   Here's To Life: Kurt Reichenbach and Jim Cox
6.   Sweet Happy Life (Samba de Orfeu): Diane Hubka and Dan Sawyer
7.   Ue Wo Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki): Christian Jacob
8.   Beautiful Love: Tierney Sutton and Christian Jacob
9.   We Can Work It Out: Jim Cox
10. Dream: Dick Noel
11. I Feel A Song Coming on; Chris Connor
12. The Wave: Frankie Randall
13. You'll Never Walk Alone: Pinky Winters and Jim Cox

I know my music friends in Palm Springs will just flip over this CD.  Many of my favorites are on this CD: Sue Raney, Alan Broadbent,  the always great Frankie Randall and the one and only Tierney Sutton. But as a bonus, I got to know some talented new friends, Johnny Holiday, Sam Most, Leslie Lewis, Gerard Hagen, Kurt Reichenbach, the remarkable Jim Cox, Diane Hubka, Dan Sawyer, Christian Jacob, Dick Noel, The late great Chris Connor and Pinky Winters.  All these great singers and musicians for $20 and it goes to a worthy cause.  The best deal in town!  You can buy the CD on CDBaby.

By the way, singer/guitarist Diane Hubka who was one of the driving forces on this CD, has a new release by SSJ Records, "I Like It Here: Live in Tokyo".  I will be doing a review of this CD in the near future. Look her up, she is an exciting talent.

I can't leave this posting without a comment about producer Bill Reed.  I had no idea of who Bill Reed was or what he had done until I started to do some research for this review.  I went on the SSJ Records site and was just knocked out by the outstanding singers Bill has produced over the years; one better than the next. This gentlemen knows what great sounds are all about.  Thanks Bill for keeping quality music playing!