Sister Sadie – Charles Earland
Juicy Lucy - Houston Person
Blowing The Blues Away – Charles Earland
The Preacher - Joey DeFrancesco
African Queen - Russell Gunn
Song For My Father - Papa John DeFrancesco
Strollin' – Charles Earland
The Outlaw - Joe Chambers
Quicksilver – Charles Earland
This
is why I generally love the HighNote label.
Its roster of artists seems to consist mainly
of musicians who know how to play no-nonsense
jazz, without pretension or pseudery. This
CD is the first of a series called "The
Composer Collection" which will highlight
the work of a particular composer. And who
better to start with than Horace Silver? He
has a knack for writing tunes which are melodic
as well as groovy, as you can see from the
list of titles. Sister Sadie and The
Preacher have an irresistible funky feeling,
while Song For My Father has rightly
become a jazz standard because of its infectious
bossa nova rhythm and memorable tune.
Organists
have the lion’s share of this album, probably
because Horace Silver’s compositions perfectly
suit the Hammond organ format. Seven of the
nine tracks include the Hammond, with Charles
Earland responsible for three examples. Earland
is fairly laid-back, at least compared to
the other two organists: "Papa"
John DeFrancesco and his son Joey. Joey displays
his dexterity in The Preacher and supports
his father by playing trumpet on Song For
My Father.
Of
the non-organ tracks, Juicy Lucy features
the beguiling tenor-sax of Houston Person,
while The Outlaw has drummer Joe Chambers
leading a Latin-flavoured quintet which, with
Joe also playing vibes, sounds rather like
groups led by Cal Tjader. Among the sidemen,
tenor-saxist Eric Alexander is outstanding,
contributing some lissome saxophone to four
tracks. Guitarist Melvin Sparks shines in
Sister Sadie and Song For My Father.
Altogether
an album which may not be life-changing but
which is gently life-enhancing.
Tony
Augarde
CD Reviews
HighNote
HCD 7176
