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Joey Defrancesco - Organic Vibes |
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by John Ferrara
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 Organic Vives | | Personnel:Joey Defrancesco: Hammond B3, Bobby Hutcherson: vibes, Ron Blake: tenor & soprano saxophone & flute, George Coleman: tenor saxophone, Jake Langley: guitar, Byron Landham: drums | | Tracks:1. The Tackle
2. Little B’s Poem
3. I Thought About You
4. Somewhere in the Night
5. Down the Hatch
6. Speak Low
7. JeNeane’s Dream
8. My Foolish Heart
9. Colleen | |
Title : Organic Vibes
Artist: Joey Defrancesco
Label: Concord Jazz
Many years ago I bought an album by Jimmy Smith. The recording was a departure from the usual organ trio context. It consisted of woodwind backgrounds arranged by Oliver Nelson. It showcased Jimmy’s playing in a different light and was exceptional both in performance and concept.
Joey Defrancesco’s new CD, “Organic Vibes” is also exceptional. It too is a departure from the organ trio venue. Specifically, the instrumentation includes vibes, soprano, flute, and of course the requisite tenor and guitar sound. Some of the tracks are tightly arranged, while others resemble more of a looser “session” feel. Vibes and organ actually have a tonally cohesive, compatible sound, and on this recording Joey and company set a high level of musicality from the very first track.
The opener “The Tackle”, an original by Joey D, is based upon the changes to “What Is This Thing Called Love”. The intro and statement of the head feature Byron Landham’s great drum work. Once the blowing kicks in, Bobby Hutcherson starts off with a beautifully conceived solo. Joey’s pedal work is a marvel; up tempos do not intimidate him (or anyone else on this session for that matter). Ron Blake plays a tenor solo which is a stunner, followed by Joey’s solo which exhibits a modernistic style on the B3 – a cut above the rest. One poignant note is that he plays Jimmy Smith’s Hammond B3 (circa 1959) which symbolically associates the performances on the CD with Jimmy’s legacy (he passed away in February of 2005).
Bobby Hutcherson’s lovely jazz waltz “Little B’s Poem” includes flute (Ron Blake) in the instrumentation. Mr. Blake exhibits his beautiful tone on the melody as well as in his improvised solo. The ballad “I Thought About You” is played with an underlying double time feel featuring Bobby and Joey. Listen for the organist’s expert pedal work (he has a nice descending triplet run at the end of the first chorus in the turnaround).
Guitarist Jake Langley is also a highly capable musician who solos on “Somewhere in the Night”, the old “Naked City” theme from black and white TV days (I used to watch the show and I think it was Billy May who did the original arrangement). This track is one of two that contains the phenomenal playing of George Coleman. “Down the Hatch” is a good old fashioned medium blues in Bb by Joey. The head contains some nice perfect fourths – this thing swings hard but in an understated fashion. Ron Blake’s tenor and Mr. Langley’s guitar are featured along with the irrepressible Mr. Joey; his playing here clearly illustrates why Jimmy Smith said “After Joey, nobody’s close.” - listen to his dazzling double-time runs.
“Speak Low”, taken at a very quick tempo, again features George Coleman whose solo is the quintessence of flawless tenor playing; one can only be reminded of the recordings with Miles in 1964 in concert at Lincoln Center. His performance, coupled with Joey’s soaring solo and his astounding pedaled bass lines, make this track a high point of the CD. A very hip original jazz waltz penned by Byron Landon, “JeNeane’s Dream”, contrasts nicely. It is followed by the standard “My Foolish Heart” featuring a lyrical Bobby Hutcherson accompanied by a sensitive and responsive rhythm section.
Soprano sax is the feature on Joey’s “Colleen”, a bossa nova. Mr. Blake plays a fluid solo followed by Jake Langley and Joey. The head is played in unison by soprano and guitar; this tune would make a nice standard.
Joey DeFrancesco has again proven why he is the best at what he does. He was discovered at the age of 17 and has evolved into one of the most musical and technically adept players of the B3 clan. His playing has a happy kind of feeling to it, which is also evident in Jimmy Smith’s recordings. That plus everything else Mr. D has in his hip pocket equates to a great musician and a great CD.
John Ferrara
September 2006 |
John Ferrara |
| About the author: |
| John Ferarra is a former Faculty member at the Berklee School of
music, veteran performer in NYC and has written two jazz piano
instruction books (fundamental and advanced) which are widely
available. |
| Read More >> | |
