CD Review: Albare, "Albare Plays Jobim Vol 2"

 

I enjoyed and reviewed Albare's last CD,  "Albare plays Jobim" a while ago.  He has now published "Albare Plays Jobim Vol 2",  and it is just as good as his first Jobim CD.  Guitarist and Composer, Albare was born in Morocco and grew up in Israel and France.  Amazingly his musical development was completely self-taught.  Albare was 14 when he first heard the music of Jobim but he waited until he was in his 60's to produce his tribute to Jobim's music.  Why the wait?, a reporter once asked him.  He started thinking about the question and first answered "I liked the music and it's Samba rhythms".  But as he thought about his quick first response,  he knew the answer was deeper than this.   "When I first started recording in the 90's, it was not Bossa Nova.  As much as my love for the music kept growing, I assumed that everything in that genre was already said and done.  As I got older, I felt a tinge of nostalgia and romance for my earlier years.  Jobim's music was clearly in the past.  So I decided that "if I was going to honor the music of my youth that I loved , I had to find my own voice".  

So glad Albare came to this decision because great music never gets old.  His sensitive Guitar playing brings new life into the wonderful music world of Antonio Carlos Jobim.

MUSICIANS: 

Albare- Co-Producer, Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Joe Chindamo- Arranger, Orchestra Conductor, Piano

Pablo Bencid- Drums (Except for Once I Loved and Dindi)

Luisto Quintero- Percussions

Ricardo Rodriquez- Bass

Phil Turcio- Co-Prodiucer, Mixing, Mastering

Guest Musicians:

Randy Brecker- Fluglehorn (On Favela and So Dance Samba)  

Nestor Turres- Flute (On Summer Samba and How Insensitive)

Antonio Sanchez- Drums (On Dindi and Once I Loved)

PLAYLIST:   

1. Dindi

2. Summer Samba

3. A Felicidade

4. So Danco Samba

5. Caminhos Cruzados

6. How Insensitive

7. Triste

8. Girl From Ipanema

9. Once I Loved

10. Favela

11. Meditation

 I have attached two beautiful and romantic "YouTube" videos for your listening  and viewing pleasure.  The first is "So Danco Samba" featuring guest artist Randy Brecker playing Flugelhorn and the second is "How Insensitive" featuring  guest artists Nestor Torres on Flute.

                                                                      "So Danco Samba"

                                                                        "How Insensitive"

         

 

CD REVIEW: Doug MacDonald Duo, "Toluca Lake Jazz"

Guitar Master and Composer Doug MacDonald has just released a new CD, "Toluca Lake Jazz".  The CD is a string Duo with Doug and world-class Bassist, Harvey Newmark.  This talented Duo had some creative fun interpreting 7 standards and 6 original tunes composed by Doug.  The inspiration for the CD came from the long history of live Jazz in the area.  The Lakeside Golf Club was a place where many musicians performed regularly.  The Club was also a destination for old Hollywood where many famous Hollywood giants were members including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and W.C.Fields.  This CD is meant to be a tribute to the wonderful Jazz that was performed here and in local Jazz clubs in the area and to a wonderful tradition of live Jazz music.

Doug MacDonald and Harvey Newmark are two of the most in-demand musicians in the country but especially in the Southern California area where they both reside.  

Doug MacDonald has an interesting music background.  He started in career in Hawaii and then relocated to Las Vegas where the music scene was bursting with opportunities to perform.  While in Vegas, Doug performed with many of the Jazz greats like Joe Williams, Carl Fontana, Jack Montrose and Carson Smith.  After many years performing in the Vegas scene, Doug moved to LA and performed with Bill Holman, Ray Anthony and John Clayton.  He recorded with Jake Hanna, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Ross Tompkins, Ray Brown Buddy Rich and Ray Charles. You won't find any musician busier than Doug MacDonald!  He has a regular Wednesday gig at AJ's on the Green in Cathedral City California and still finds time to compose and tour participating in 300 performances a year from coast to coast.  He also broadcasts a Jazz radio show on KAJI, a terrific local Jazz station in Palm Desert, CA.  

Harvey Newmark was born in Hollywood California and startedlearning the Bass while he was in middle school.  It was love at first sight of the Bass, and by the time Harvey entered Hollywood High School he was working with Bands playing for private events on weekends.  After graduating from college, Harvey joined the Buddy Rich Band and at the age of twenty was asked to join the Lawrence Welk Band.  Harvey has toured and or recorded with Terrence Blanchard, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Anita O'Day,  Cal Trader,  the Baja Marimbo Band,  Milt Jackson, Eddy Jefferson, Pepper Adams and Terry Gibbs.

The joining of these two wonderful experienced musicians together has produced a delightful musical Duo of great music!  It is fun sitting back and listening to how they interpret old standards and also experience Doug MacDonald's creative composing.  

I am already hoping to hear more from this talented Duo in the future with the appearance of "Toluca Lake Duo II".  I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is an interesting MaxDonald original titled "New World".  Doug shared that he wrote this song based on the changes of "It's a Blue World".  The second song is the standard "Easy Living" with some outstanding Bass work from Harvey Newmark.

PLAYLIST:

MUSICIANS:

Doug MacDonald-Guitar and Composer for cuts 5, 6, 7, 9. 11, & 13

Harvey Newmark- Bass

            "New World"                                                          

              "Easy Living"                                                              

CD Review: Joyann Parker, "Out of the Dark"

 

It's been quite a while since I published a review of a Country Blues singer but the wait is over.  I just listened to Joyann Parker singing songs from her new CD release "Out of the Dark".  There is no way I could pass over reviewing this Blues/Country/Rock/Gospel Vocalist.  She is the real thing with a voice that is strong, covers several octaves and performs effortlessly.  Her singing is natural and real and she would be a welcomed addition to any fine Country-Western band.  Her voice and singing reveal a strong attachment to Old-school Country and Blues.  Joyann is a big fan of Patsy Cline because "she sang from her soul" and that's exactly what Joyann does.   As wonderful as Joyann's voice is, her greatest talent may be in her composing ability.  All 11 songs on the CD were written by Joyann and Guitarist Mark Lamoine.  If she keeps writing songs like these 11,  her songbook will be very valuable in the coming years.  The lyrics on these songs ring true to anyone even with minimal life experience.  

I spent a lot of time going back and forth listening to the songs on this CD trying to pick two.  Turns out they are all terrific and and different in terms of their feel.   But limited to two picks, I picked the title tune "Out of the Dark" and I just could not skip ""Dirty Rotten Guy".  "Out of the Dark" was inspired by the virus lockdown which stopped just about everything.  Parker says, "It's about the way I've been feeling and changing over the past year, figuring out who I am.  I was coming out of my own darkness."  "Dirty Rotten Guy" is just a fun New Orleans flavored ode to a pleasure song.  Pianist Tim Wick provides perfect keyboard work to support Parker.

                                                                    "Out of the Dark"

                                                                     "Dirty Rotten Guy"

PLAYERS:

Joyann Parker- lead vocals, Guitar 2, 9, 10,  Keyboard 3, 4, 11

Mark Lamoine- Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar 5, Background Vocals 1

Tim Wick- Piano- Organ

Brad Schaefer- Bass

Bill Golden- Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals 1

Rich Manik- Flute 9, Saxophones 8, 9

Dave Foley- Trumpet 6

Paul Mayasich- Slide Guitar 5

Laycey Dreamz- Background Vocals 2, 11

Patricia Lacy- Background Vocals 2, 11

Geoff Jones- Background Vocals 8

Kenny Britt- Background Vocals 8

Rory Hoffman- Harmonica 3

Greg Byers- Strings 4, 11

PLAYLIST:

1. Gone So Long

2. Carry On

3. Bad Version Of Myself

4. What Did You Expect

5. Either Way

6. Predator

7. Dirty Rotten Guy

8. Come On Baby (Take Me Dancing)

9. Fool For You

10. Hit Me Like A Train

11. Out Of The Dark

CD Review: Cathy Segal-Garcia, "Straight Ahead to the UK"

 

Cathy Segal-Garcia is a remarkably talented Vocalist who also Composes and Arranges beautiful music.  She came to mind recently in August of 2020 when I reviewed a new CD  from Mayita Dinos,  "The Garden Is My Stage".   Cathy Segal-Garcia has a major part in producing this CD and putting together the talented musicians who supported Mayita on her recording.  So I checked out "YouTube" to find out what Cathy has been doing in the past few years and it turns out that she has been very busy creating  beautiful new music.  I was particular interested in a CD that Cathy actually recorded in 2011 on a trip to England.  The CD sat on the shelf for a long time until she appeared on the Clifford Bell radio show in LA and he suggested that she pull it off the shelf and rework it as a new release.  This turned out to be an excellent idea.  Cathy brought the rough cuts to Engineer John Leftwich who turned them into musical gems.

The trip to England was arranged by an old friend of Cathy's, Super Sax player, Andy Macintosh.  Andy also secured some of the best Jazz players in England to join him and Cathy on this CD.  The CD contains a mix of original songs written by Cathy and some evergreens that never get old.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is a very sensitive rendition of the classic Hoagy Carmichael song, "I Get Along Without You".  Cathy Segal-Garcia is at her very best singing this tune.  It feels like she is having a very private and heart-felt conversation with the listener.  This recording certifies her remarkable understanding of Lyric that all Jazz singers should strive for.  The second song, "Shake It Down" was composed by Cathy after being inspired by a girl friend who loves to dance.   Enjoy!

Players:

Cathy Segal-Garcia-Vocals, composer, cuts 3, 6, 7, 8, 13

Carey Frank- Hammond B3 Organ 

Background Vocals- Bill Redd, Irene Cathaway

Guest Vocalist-Norma Winstone

Bassists- Paul Morgan, Laurence Cottle, John Leftwich

Piano-Cliff Hall, John Pearce, Roy Hilton

Synth Pads- John Leftwich

Drums- Ian Thomas

Trumpet- Simon Gardner

Saxes- Andy Macintosh

Percussion Brad Dutz

Playlist:

1. Wheelers and Dealers

2. Highwire

3. Hippityville

4. Sermonette

5. I Get Along Without You

6. Shake It Down

7. Recipe of Love

8. Song 4 Sandy

9. Something We May Never Know

10. Dreamsville

11. Gypsy In My Soul

12. Last Night When We Were Young

13. Hippityville

                                                              "I Get Along Without You"

                                                                       "Shake It Down"    

              

CD Review: Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine, "Mazel Tov Kocktail"

The Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Machine has been performing since 1979 under the guidance of Producer/Conductor and Artistic Director, Ira Liss. The current group of players in this Band are some of the top names in Jazz and have been joined from time to time by Bob Mintzer, Barbara Morrison, Wayne Bergeron, Holly Hofmann and Eric Marienthal.  There are also some really special guests that have joined the Band to contribute to this wonderful Big Band CD:  Nathan East on Bass, Andrew Neu on Tenor Sax, Dan Radlauer on Accordion and Mike Vax on Trumpet.  The Band has two great big band Vocalists, Janet Hammer and Carly Ines.  This is the  Band's 6th recording release and it is packed with new compositions and new arrangements of standards.  Ira states, "The Band is the sum of its parts, and every chair is important. Big Bands need a creative vision to push the music forward, and I like a lot of variety".  Ira delivers on his promise, "Mazel Tov Kocktail" delivers everything any big band fan would be looking for.  The sound is always tight, the Arrangements are fresh and new and the execution by the seasoned members of this Band is perfect.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for you to sample.  The first is an up-tempo version of the evergreen "Where or When" that features  Janet Hammer on the Vocal.  This standard was given new life by the Arranger, George Stone.  The second video is a swinging tune, "Gimme That"  Composed and Arranged by special guess, Andrew Neu.  Andrew also plays an outstanding Tenor Sax solo on this song.  I know you will enjoy these cuts!    

PLAYERS:

 PLAYLIST:

1. Gimme That

2. High Wire

3. Key To The City

4. Love You Madly

5. Bass: The Final Frontier

6. You'd Better Love Me While You May

7. Mazel Tov Kocktail

8. I Wish You Love

9. Springtime

10. Joy Spring

11. West Wings

12. Where Or When

                                                                      "Where or When"

                                                                            "Gimme That"

CE Review: Mark Winkler and David Benoit, "Old Friends"

 

Singer/Songwriter/Lyricist Mark Winkler has released a new album that is a tribute to his 37 years of friendship with Pianist/Composer/Arranger David Benoit.  37 years is a long time but I am glad to report that both of these seasoned  musicians are at the very top of their musical game on this CD!  Mark Winkler is not only a remarkable Songwriter and Lyricist, he still is one of the most currently active Vocalists performing today.  He seems to be everywhere in the current music scene, cutting new CDs, producing new CDs for other up and coming younger Vocalists and writing great new music and Lyrics.  Even though Mark is a renowned Vocalist and Composer, I admire his willingness to give back to his industry by helping younger talent break out.

Multiple Grammy nominee David Benoit has a resume that most musicians would die for.  He has recorded over 35 projects as a leader and has worked with the best in contemporary Jazz performers like the Rippingtons,  Dave Koz, Faith Hill, David Sanborn, CeCe Winans and  Brian McKnight.

The idea for this album was born after Benoit invited Winkler over for dinner, after which the two retired to the living room where Benoit started accompanying Winkler on the piano.  The informal session started with the idea to pick songs and composers who were meaningful to them.  

This CD presents Mark Winkler and David Benoit at the very best of their musical careers.  The bond of friendship and musical communication between these two mega-stars is wonderful to experience.  I Consider Mark Winkler's vocals on this CD his best work to date.  I am already looking forward to "Old Friends II"!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  Picking just two cuts from this CD was difficult.  So my first pick was a song that in my opinion has been under-appreciated and under-recorded, "Some Other Time".  This song was written by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Greene and it's a classic beauty.  My favorite version of this song is a recording made by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans but Winkler and Benoit version is mighty good also!  My second selection is "In A Quiet Place Kei's Song" a song composed by Benoit with lyric co-written by Winkler and Shelley Nyman.  It's a wonderful love poem!

Players:

Mark Winkler- Vocals

David Benoit- Piano

Clayton Cameron- Drums

Gabe Davis- Bass

Pat Kelley- Guitar

Kevin Wizard- Percussion

Stefanie Fife- Cello

Arrangements- David Benoit

Producer- Barbara Brighton

Playlist:

1. I've Got Just About Everything

2. Sweet Kentucky Ham

3. The Shadow Of Your Smile

4. Better Than Anything

5. Two For The Road

6. Old Friends/Bookends

7. When This Love Affair Is Over

8. I Think It's Going To Rain Today

9. In A Quiet Place (Kei's Song)

10. I Wish I'd Met You

11. Dragonfly

12. Thirty Years (Only Sunshine Days)

13. Some Other Time

                                                              "Some Other Time"

 

                                                             "In A Quite Place (Kei's Song)

CD Review: Roseanna Vitro, "Listen Here"

 

While a reviewer's job is to look for new talents and new material, I find it so satisfying when I uncover a musical gem that I missed.  In this case, it's the reissue of Roseanna Vitro's 1984 debut album, "Listen Here" featuring The Kenny Barron Trio. This wonderful CD launched Vitro's long career as a performer, recording artist, educator and journalist.  Even though this was her first CD, Vitro's performance matches even the most mature Jazz singers.  Singing a playlist of Jazz standards, Vitro applies her own unique touch to these evergreens bringing her own style and sense of swing to each of them.  Esteemed Jazz journalist Neil Tesser had this to say in USA Today: "Roseanna can sing rings around half the vocalists you can name.  Her warm, confident clarity of tone is immediately noticeable, but most startling is her boldness of phrasing."  I couldn't agree more!

What really puts this over the top is the group that accompanied Roseanna on this CD.  To say they were great hardly expressed the level of their musical skills.  The supporting Trio is made up of Kenny Barron on Piano, Buster Williams on Bass, Ben Riley on Drums.  Joining this super Trio is Arnett Cobb on Sax, Duduka Da Fonseca on Percussion, Scott Hardy on Guitar and Bliss Rodriguez on Piano for cut # 3, "Centerpiece".  The arrangements were written by the always remarkable Fred Hersch.  This group of talented musicians along with the remarkable voice and phrasing of Roseanna Vitro have produced a CD that any Jazz fan would love!

I have chosen two songs from this CD for you to enjoy.  The first one is "No More Blues" and the second one is "You Took Advantage of Me".

"No More Blues"

"You Took Advantage of Me"

Playlist:

1. No More Blues

2. You Go To My Head

3. Centerpiece

4. Love You Madly

5. A Time For Love

6. This Happy Madness

7. Listen Here

8. It Could Happen To You

9. Easy Street

10. Sometime Ago

11. You Took Advantage Of Me

12. Black Coffee

Players:

Roseanna Vitro- Vocals

Kenny Barron- Piano

Buster Williams- Bass

Arnett Cobb- Sax #3, 4, 8

Bliss Rodriguez- Piano #3

Scott Hardy- Guitar  #6

Duduka Da Fonseca- Percussion #1, 6

Arrangements: Fred Hersch