Chris Parker smokin’ original jazz Chris Parker – MOVING FORWARD NOW: It’s been a pretty good while since I reviewed Chris’s superb jazz drumming (issue # 136), where he got good marks from me; this new release, with him as the leader, makes an even better impression, especially on tunes like the smokin’ “Trippin-A-Let“… of course, as always, it’s enhanced by the fact that this is a Chris original composition! Chris has “been around the block”, to be sure, and his player list is testament to just how highly respected he is… bassist Jeremy Allen, saxophonists Jamey Aebersold and Rob Dixon, pianist Luke Gillespie, clarinetist Frank Glover, trumpeter Pat Harbison, and guitarist Dave Stryker, as well as some great jazz vocal work from Rachel Caswell (many of whom have been reviewed in our pages, of course).
As mentioned above, Rachel’s vocals are superb, as you’ll hear on her very unique rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice Its All Right“… so, in addition to great jazz tunes, Chris makes sure there’s some real variety in the styles of music performed on this great 1:15 CD! He even opens with an excellent jazz version of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – one of the most amazing takes on that song I’ve ever heard… great energy!
It’s another Parker original that got my vote for personal favorite of the thirteen solid tunes offered up for your aural enjoyment… “Positive Energy” conveys a sense of what we all need (most) in these troubled times… some wonderful keyboards from Luke, but each of the players has their chance to shine on this high-energy 8:15 song (lots of room to move in, and very professional use of the “spaces in between the notes”. I give Chris and his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this excellent release. Visit Chris’s website to get more information about him and his music! Rotcod Zzaj
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