Album Review: Say It from John Proulx

-


Album:  Say It
Artist:  John Proulx
Label:  Artist Share
Website:  www.johnproulx.com

 
Say It, the 4th CD from pianist/vocalist John Proulx, is fraught with cool jazz tunes and easy listening brews.  From the bopping groove blues steering "I Don't Worry about a Thing" to the classic pop propulsion towing "Both Sides Now," the recording straps listeners in and takes them for an uplifting ride.

The smooth jazz musings of Larry Koone's guitar strings saunter leisurely along the title track, putting listeners in a relaxing state of mind as Proulx's vocals elevate the track to a heavenly lilt. The peppy cantor in Proulx's vocals gives "Scatsville" a catchy dance beat that subsides along "Something To Live For," paddling along with ruminating strokes.  The candlelight ambience of "Stained Glass" highlights the vocal harmonies of Proulx and Melissa Manchester, penetrating audiences with their clarion sound.

The delicate doodling of Joe LaBarbera's brushed drumbeats drift like a dazed sleepwalker along "The Last Goodbye," providing a light buttress for Proulx's cascading vocals to lean on as he professes, "Time slipped through our hands / Life seemed so planned / I thought you'd be here always / Know that I am standing alone."  The melody trusses a meditative-slant that emotes human emotion, engaging the listener's heart.

The pensive gait of Proulx's vocals glides softly along "The Summer Knows," lingering on poignant points in the lyrics, showing his instinct to finesses the nuances in his timbres to a refined edge.  The quick steps in the rhythmic timing of "Watch What Happens" radiate a classic pop sheen that is conducive to Chuck Berghofer's bopping bass notes and the grooving ripples of Proulx's keys.

Produced by Judy Wexler, Say It displays Proulx's cool jazz sensibilities backed by musicians who perform smooth jazz harmonies that resonate with audiences.  The music is comfortable on one's ears and pleasant sounding to one's mind.

Musicians:
John Proulx - vocals and piano
Chuck Berghofer - bass
Joe LaBarbera - drums
Larry Koonse -  guitar
Bob Sheppard - tenor and soprano saxophone
Billy Hulting - auxiliary percussion
Melissa Manchester - guest vocals
Alan Broadbent - string quartet arrangements
Gina Kronstadt - 1st violin
Susan Chatman - 2nd violin
Rodney Wurtz - viola
Stefanie Fife - cello

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Album Review: This Could Be The Start from Linda Purl

-
Image
Album: This Could Be The Start Artist:  Linda Purl Label: Reaching Records Website:  https://www.lindapurl.com Vocalist Linda Purl and her music director Tedd Firth come together for their fourth album, This Could Be the Start .  The collection contains Purl's reimagination of a handful of jazz standards, tailored to her vocal specifications.  Supported by an intimate cadre of musicians that include bassist David Finck, drummer Ray Marchica and reed player Nelson Rangell, Purl finesses a selection of Great American Songbook jewels with a contemporary sheen. The playful merengue rhythm driving "Blue Moon," a swinging romp written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, is trussed in Ray Marchica's percolating percussion and a profusion of jutting keys performed by Ted Firth.  The track steps out of the customary schematics of swing jazz bolstered by blues vocals and articulates a Latin-imbued tremor.  The bossa nova curves shaping one of Cole Porter's signature pieces,
Read more

Album Review: The Ways In from James Zollar

-
Image
Album:  The Ways In Artist:  James Zollar Label:  Label: JZAZ Records Websites:  https://www.rsberkeley.com/james-zollar https://www.discogs.com/artist/954763-James-Zollar https://wyntonmarsalis.org/personnel/detail/james-zollar A straight-ahead jazz oeuvre, The Ways In from bandleader and trumpet player James Zollar resumes a quest where pioneers of the trumpet's sympathetic vibrations like Clifford Brown and Bill Coleman left off.  Zollar shows audiences the delightful, melodious tone of the trumpet, moving in harmony with an array of brass, woodwinds, and rhythm instruments. The robust wails of Zollar's trumpet strutting languidly along "Do Nothing 'till You Hear From Me" emotes an enduring personable trait, unwavering persistence in the face of being dejected.  The recording switches to a joyful atmosphere in "Swing Spring" with jangly beats from percussionist Chembo Corniel, interfacing with the buoyant ripples generated by Michael Rorby's trom
Read more

Album Review: Globetrotter from Luca di Luzio

-
Image
Album:  Globetrotter Artist:  Luca di Luzio Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.lucadiluzio.it   Guitarist Luca di Luzio's upcoming CD, Globetrotter  is an assortment of contemporary jazz tunes bridging funk, blues, soul, and Latin music.  Comprised of a few jazz standards and a handful of original works written by Luca di Luzio, a prolific guitar player who studied different styles of music, the recording expresses his personal vision of jazz guitar based on melody and groove.  Joining Di Luzio in his vision are bass guitarist Jimmy Haslip, drummer Dave Wecki, keyboardist George Whitty, and saxophonists Max Ionata and Alessandro Fariselli. From dance-funk numbers like "Jazzlife" and "Elisir" to the soft billows and reflective moods projected in "Smile" and " Buena Suerte," Di Luzio's artistry stems from his vision to make music that is aesthetically pleasing.  "Sunshower," a tune written by Kenny Barron, is a pr
Read more