By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Voice Like a Horn
Before discussing this album,
a brief confession:
I’ve always made a point of
discussing music that’ll be worth your time: albums that rank as good, better
and best. Anything of lesser quality is set aside. My first pass at
any given CD usually involves relatively short “scans” of each track (hence
this blog’s name!). Albums that make the cut then are analyzed (and enjoyed) at
length, as the review is composed and written.
Didn’t happen that way this
time. I was hooked during the first 16 bars of the first track, listened
to the entire album without skipping anything ... and then listened to it
again. Almost forgot that I was supposed to be contemplating a review.
Yep, it’s that good.
The basic format is a
quartet. McGuinness plays trombone and handles vocals, and is joined by Ted
Kooshian on piano, Andy Eulau on bass, and Scott Neumann on drums. Jon
Gordon (alto sax and flute) and Bill Mobley (trumpet) guest on a few tracks. Six
of the eight selections are from the Great American Songbook, including “Yesterdays” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” The
remaining two tunes are jazz traditionals: Dizzy Gillespie’s “Birks Works” and “49th Street” (a
head arrangement based on the chord structure of “Lover”). McGuinness
handled all of the arrangements, except for “49th Street.”
The performances and
arrangements are excellent, and everything swings like crazy. McGuinness,
however, is the unique element. He not only plays great jazz trombone; he’s an
exceptional male jazz vocalist
... the best to have come along in years. We’ve all enjoyed many who can
really rock — guys like Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing, Mark Murphy, Chet Baker,
Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme — but only a few have been masters of scat singing. Torme
was one; Bobby McFerrin and Darmon Meader are others.
McGuinness belongs in their
company; his voice truly mimics an instrument. He brings flavor and originality
to the lyrics, then takes off with innovative scat choruses that essentially
add another “horn” to the combo.
The ensemble and solo work
on every track is exceptional; you won’t be able to keep your fingers and feet
from moving. This is an exciting, grooving experience. Let’s hope for more
recording sessions — and some concert tours! — from these guys.
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