CD Review: Judy Wexler, "Back to the Garden"

 

Multi-talented Judy Wexler has just released her sixth album, "Back To The Garden" and it has already received high marks in the JazzWeek radio charts.  "Back To The Garden" is a departure from Wexler's previous albums which featured modern Jazz songs and songs from the best of the Great American Songbook.  This album selections are some of the great songs from the 60s and Judy has applied her creative ability to reimagine these wonderful tunes.  According to Wexler, "I was a bit young in the 60s to be completely aware of the great music going out, but my older brother bought all the new records, and I have such great memories of hanging out in his room and listening to him play guitar and sing along with Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel.  I could feel the powerful messages of the music even if I didn't fully understand the context.  Music of the 60s is truly a reflection of the times, and the music reflected the turbulence engendered by war, political protests, and the rise of important social movements like feminism and racial justice."  Sadly we are still struggling with these issues today!  

In her new album Wexler has done a masterful job of re-imaging 10 of the best songs from the 60s to reflect her interpretation of these songs and bring forth their messages of hope, love and change again.  This is what truly outstanding Jazz musicians do.  They take great music and lyrics and give them a re-birth while  never  sacrificing the integrity of the original brilliance of the music and lyric.  Wexler has a lot of tools in her musical bag that allow her to succeed with her re-interpretation of these golden songs.  She has near perfect pitch, her voice is clear and strong, her phrasing is always perfect and she puts forth a real understanding of the issues that the lyrics cover.  

The arrangements are sparkling and new and the group of musicians Wexler has gathered together to record this album are spectacular by any measure.  She started with her long-time pianist and arranger Jeff Colella whose resume is extremely long and distinguished.  He toured with Lou Rawls for 16 years and was Musical Director for Jack Jones, just to mention two.  She called upon the brilliant young Pianist and Composer Josh Nelson who contributed two arrangements.  World-class Guitarist Larry Koonse was joined by Bass player Gabe Davis, and Drummer Steve Hass.  They were joined by Bob Thiele, Jr on Electric and Baritone Guitar, Danny Janklow on Alto sax, Jay Jennings on Trumpet and Hendrik Meurkens on Harmonica.  The string section included Violinists Joel Pargman and Carrie Kennedy, Rodney Wirtz on Viola, and Cellist Stefanie Fife.  Erin Bentlage arranged and contributed background vocals on four tracks.  As you can see from this list of master musicians, Wexler has spent whatever money was necessary to produce the finest musical product she could.  She has succeeded!  "Back To The Garden" is an outstanding new album that deserves all the praise that it is receiving already by the music press.  The music and lyric on these old songs are still as enjoyable as when I first heard them played over 60 years ago and that's a tribute to the musical talent of Judy Wexler. 

The songs on "Back To The Garden" include two written by Bob Dylan, one by Paul Simon and one by Stephen Stills.  They will bring back memories of Joni Mitchel, the Youngbloods, Harry Nilsson and Judy Collins.  If you are too young to remember these original songs of the 60s, I think you will fall in love with them now.  If you do remember these original songs from the time they were recorded, you will fall in love with Judy Wexler and her interpretations.  

Players:

Judy Wexler- Vocals

Jeff Colella- Piano, Melodica, Background Vocals

Larry Koonse- Nylon String and Electric Guitar

Gabe Davis- Bass

Steve Hass- Drums

Bob Thiele, Jr- Electric and Baritone Guitar

Erin Bentlage- Background Vocals

Danny Janklow- Alto Sax

Jay Jennings- Trumpet

Hendrik Meurkens- Harmonica

Sara Caswell- Violin

Rodney Wirtz- Viola

Stefanie Fife- Cello

Talley Sherwood- Background Vocals

Playlist:

Get Together (Chet Powers)

Up On The Roof (Gerry Goffin and Carole King)

American Tune (Paul Simon)

Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)

The Times They Are A-Changin (Bob Dylan)

Since You've Asked (Judy Collins)

For What It's Worth (Stephen Sills)

Everybody's Talking (Fred Neil)

Forever Young (Bob Dylan)

Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Sandy Denny)

I have attached two wonderful YouTubes for your listening pleasure.  The first one, "Everybody's Talking" that has some tasty Harmonic work provided by Hendrik Meurkens.  The second one is still very popular today "Up On The Roof" from Gerry Goffin and Carole King.  Judy Wexler's voice and phrasing and Jeff Colella's terrific Piano work show us how to turn a great R & B rock and roll tune into a delightful Jazz tune!  

  

                                                                  "Everybody's Talking"

                                                                    "Up On The Roof"

CD Review: "What I See" by Judy Wexler

Judy Wexler

Judy Wexler has just finished recording her 4th album, "What I See". Judy has a marvelous, pure, clean voice, but that's only one part of what makes her such a special singer. First and foremost, Judy is a wonderful storyteller. When you hear Judy sing any of the songs that she carefully hand picks, she brings life to the lyrics. She has the rare ability to magically combine the story with her beautiful voice and captures the full attention of the listener. The songs Judy recorded on this album cover a wide range of times and styles; and, yet, Judy has been able to put them together as if these songs were written just for this album. There are few singers who have the ability to select the songs Judy has and bring them to life as she does. After selecting her songs, Judy applies the final magic to her CD by bringing together some of the most talented sidemen on the West Coast: Larry Koonse on Guitar, Bob Sheppard on Bass Clarinet and Alto Sax, Ron Stout on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Scott Whitfield on Trombone, Billy Hulting on Percussion, Chris Colangelo on Bass, and Steve Hass on Drums. These are a lot of parts to pull together and make it all fit together perfectly. So Judy, brings in her long-time Pianist/Arranger, Jeff Colella to co-produce the album. Jeff who spent almost two decades as the Music Director for Lou Rawls put together all the beautiful arrangements that make this CD one of the best Jazz albums of the year.