CD REVIEW - Cadence · PDF filecd review artist: mark sherman title: the l.a. sessions label:...
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CD REVIEW ARTIST: MARK SHERMAN TITLE: THE L.A. SESSIONS LABEL: MILES HIGH 8617 TUNES: WOODY N' YOU / QUASIMODO / IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU / CELIA / FAR AWAY / WHISPER NOT / MOMENT'S NOTICE / BAG'S GROOVE / SERPENT'S TOOTH / QUASIMODO / WOODY N' YOU / CELIA . 71:31. PERSONNEL: Mark Sherman, vib; Bill Cunliffe, org; John Chiodini, g; Charles Ruggiero, d. 10//8/11, Santa Monica, Calif. Mark Sherman’s L.A. Sessions is altogether a more easy-going affair. Sherman serves up a set of musical comfort food, tunes he’s known throughout his career. A familiar bunch for the most part, aside from the Miles Davis’ rarity “Serpent’s Tooth” and the leader’s own ballad “Far Away.” He recruits an intriguing cast to help out. His vibes serve as the lead voice against a background of Bill Cunliffe's Hammond B3, John Chiodini's guitar and Charles Ruggiero's drums. Can't remember encountering this particular mix before. Though this is a pickup session, the ensemble meshes well. Credit Cunliffe's low-key approach on organ. The instrument has a way of dominating the mix, but not here. He pads along, offering quiet, yet firm bass and lithe solos. Chiodini provides propulsive comping. On "It Could Happen To You" midway through the vibes solo Chiodini pushes the soloist along with an assertive rising chordal pattern. This track demonstrates the ease with which the group interacts. Ruggiero kicks off the rounds of solos, and at the end we get trade-offs among the guitar, organ and vibes that come off as a natural outgrowth of what came before. The band also makes good uses of ensemble figures to set off drum breaks on "Moments Notice." This is a winning session marked by a sense of spontaneity and freshness. David Dupont CD review from Volume 38, No. 3: July issue For more information, go to www.cadencemagazine.com Copyright 2012 Cadence Media, LCC All rights reserved
Transcript of CD REVIEW - Cadence · PDF filecd review artist: mark sherman title: the l.a. sessions label:...
CD REVIEW
ARTIST: MARK SHERMANTITLE: THE L.A. SESSIONSLABEL: MILES HIGH 8617
TUNES: WOODY N' YOU / QUASIMODO / IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU / CELIA / FAR AWAY / WHISPER NOT / MOMENT'S NOTICE / BAG'S GROOVE / SERPENT'S TOOTH / QUASIMODO / WOODY N' YOU / CELIA . 71:31.
PERSONNEL: Mark Sherman, vib; Bill Cunliffe, org; John Chiodini, g; Charles Ruggiero, d. 10//8/11, Santa Monica, Calif.
Mark Sherman’s L.A. Sessions is altogether a more easy-going affair. Sherman serves up a set of musical comfort food, tunes he’s known throughout his career. A familiar bunch for the most part, aside from the Miles Davis’ rarity “Serpent’s Tooth” and the leader’s own ballad “Far Away.” He recruits an intriguing cast to help out. His vibes serve as the lead voice against a background of Bill Cunliffe's Hammond B3, John Chiodini's guitar and Charles Ruggiero's drums. Can't remember encountering this particular mix before. Though this is a pickup session, the ensemble meshes well. Credit Cunliffe's low-key approach on organ. The instrument has a way of dominating the mix, but not here. He pads along, offering quiet, yet firm bass and lithe solos. Chiodini provides propulsive comping. On "It Could Happen To You" midway through the vibes solo Chiodini pushes the soloist along with an assertive rising chordal pattern. This track demonstrates the ease with which the group interacts. Ruggiero kicks off the rounds of solos, and at the end we get trade-offs among the guitar, organ and vibes that come off as a natural outgrowth of what came before. The band also makes good uses of ensemble figures to set off drum breaks on "Moments Notice." This is a winning session marked by a sense of spontaneity and freshness.
David Dupont
CD review from Volume 38, No. 3: July issueFor more information, go to www.cadencemagazine.com
Copyright 2012 Cadence Media, LCCAll rights reserved
