Final Thought: This CD is just cool. How can you not help but like it? After all, these guys are cool enough to give credits in their liner notes to a beer – and not even a cheap, nasty beer. It was a fairly decent choice: Pilsner Urquell. Rock on.
PAM PURVIS – I HAD A BALL
She sounds like she had a ball making this record. It swings, has magical grooves, it's light and clean. Pam sounds like the silver screen diva's of yesteryear, gorgeous and full of life. According to the bio on her website, she grew up in Louisiana and Texas (that scores her big points right there, of course!) and started singing in 1974. She credits her singing style to 'listening to the horns.'
The songs on I Had A Ball are not only jazz standards but also classic pop/rock tunes dressed up a little, well, jazzier.
Strengths: Pam's voice. She has an improvisatory nature which makes each song feel alive, growing and changing every time you listen. Her voice is intoxicating, to be sure, a deep, sultry tone that you never get tired of hearing. She's a jazz siren, drawing us into each and every track.
The rhythm section is subtle yet strong. Calvin Jones and Cecil Brooks (bass and drums, respectively) lay down a strong foundation for these songs and display superb, off-center timing. “Here, There and Everywhere” is a unique version of a Beatles song and showcases their odd timing. Brook's cymbals seem to stand out especially on this song. “Ode to Billie Joe” has a catchy groove overlaid with a crisp snare.
The saxophone lends some ambiance to “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” a classic from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma. “On and On” is a funky track with some nice bass lines but it's the lively sax that moves it along.
Weaknesses: Bob Ackerman's saxophone only makes a few appearances. When it does arrive, it provides depth to the songs. Brandon McCune's piano is certainly expressive on each song, but it really doesn't seem to have a stand out tune - it's just ... there. The record does sound like a soundtrack for a lost 70s television series at times. Each track feels like it has the same tempo.
Article comments
1 - Jim Shearer
Dear Gray,
Many thanks for your kind words about our new CD, "The Memphis Hang." I wish I could say it's the first time my playing has been compared to a cartoon penguin, but, it's not! If you'd like to hear some more great jazz tuba playing, check out any of the Howard Johnson and Gravity CDs on Verve or Jim Self's new CD on Bassett Hound Records. Jim was the voice of the spaceship in "Close Encounters..." You can also find many other great jazz tubists here.
Thanks again,
Jim Shearer
2 - Gray Hunter
Thank you, Mr. Shearer. For what it's worth, Opus rocks.
3 - Gray Hunter
PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Gardony's first name is spelled with an "s." Laszlo.