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by John Ferrara
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 Shopping For Your Heart |
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Personnel:
Jeff Baker: vocals, Bill Anschell: piano, Jeff Johnson: bass, John Bishop: drums, Brent Jensen: Saxophones
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Tracks:
1. All Blues 2. What’ll I Do 3. Roll To Me
4. In The Wee Small Hours 5. Shopping For Your Heart 6. Billie’s Bounce7. A Day In The Life Of A Fool 8. Stolen Moments 9. Will You Still Love Me
10. Yardbird Suite 11. Mean Old Man
12. Time After Time
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Jeff Baker
Shopping For Your Heart
One of the difficult tasks in doing a vocal album is selecting material which provides a creative musical springboard for both the vocalist and musicians – one which allows the participants to express themselves equally in an unfettered way. This, and presenting it with a fresh approach, especially when much of the material consists of standards from both the jazz and American songbook repertoire, is indeed challenging. Jeff Baker has accomplished this nicely and assembled a great bunch of musicians who collectively make this CD sparkle.
The first track “All Blues” is rendered in the original key of G but swapping the ¾ time signature for a 4/4 funk feel – very effective. Jeff’s vocal quality is especially suited for this tune. His voice emulates a horn especially in the scat choruses -- nice improvisational ideas and rhythmic phrasing. Pianist Bill Anschell plays a marvelously inventive and complementary background to the vocalist’s musings. Bassist Jeff Johnson takes the first solo, followed a dynamic and thoughtfully constructed solo by Mr. Anschell and a funky solo by Brent Jensen. Listen for Mr. Baker’s nice intonation and controlled vibrato.
A 12/8 rhythmic feel sets the foundation for the Irving Berlin classic “What’ll I Do”. Jeff Baker’s vocals here remind me of Mark Murphy. Jeff has an impressive upper register which, coupled with his smoky silky timbre, evokes a true jazz vocal sound. A highlight here is Brent Jensen’s soprano solo – really first rate.
“Roll To Me” provides another contrast with a nice samba feel propelled by a skillful John Bishop on drums. The tune has a 12 bar A section, a 2/4 bar in the eighth bar and a nine bar bridge – keeps everybody on their toes. Jeff provides a happy sounding vocal here but retains a great jazz feel; piano and alto solos are featured also. The ballad side of Jeff’s style is revealed on “In The Wee Small Hours”, one of my favorite tunes. Of special note here is pianist Bill Anschell’s touch, his voicings, his sensitive responsive accompaniment to Mr. Baker’s delicate vocal, and his gorgeous solo. I like the little reharm of F#-7(b)5 B7(alt) and traversing to its logical destination on the last section of the tune – in place of the usual Fmaj7 F#dim7 ascending progression – little things mean a lot.
The title tune “Shopping For Your Heart” is a nifty little swing tune in G with a typical “standard’ progression. Drums and bass drop out briefly for a piano/alto duo foray in the midst of the tune for a nice contrast. “Billie’s Bounce” gives the vocalist a vehicle to show his vocal gymnastic prowess with the initial statement of the tune sung in tandem with Brent Jensen. Brent takes a burning alto solo, followed by a comparable swinging piano solo which builds nicely. Mr. Baker shows off his impressive scat chops followed by the recapitulation - great work by the rhythm section here.
Another musical contrast is the venerable “A Day In The Life Of A Fool” taken at a faster clip than the customary tempo. Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments”, a tune I love and have written numerous arrangements on, is done in the original key of C minor. The lyrics are by Mark Murphy. Jeff takes another fine scat chorus. I haven’t played this tune in a while and this inspires me to revisit it – great material. A surprise selection of “Will You Still Love Me” by Carole King is done quite beautifully by the group – I love this kind of original tune selection when it is done in a unique way as it is here – expertly sung by Jeff Baker and arranged/played by the group.
Charlie Parker’s classic “Yardbird Suite” in C is done at a nice up tempo – another vehicle for Mr. Baker and his inventive scat soloing. Another musical surprise is James Taylor’s “Mean Old Man” – providing another contrasting tune for the group that is performed in a tight musical fashion with very inventive performances -- these guys swing no matter what the material is. “Time After Time” brings me back to when I played piano in Boston in the 60s (1960s, not 1860s) with a great trio and vocalist (when trios existed in every joint) – this was one of the tunes in the book (ah, fading memories). I haven’t heard this standard for many years. Jeff Johnson takes a classy solo on it. Pianist Bill Anschell with his block chords and altoist Brent Jensen are not to be outdone.
Jeff Baker has done a masterful job in creating this CD. He has assembled some of the best musicians and engineers in the business, and when you take care of those important elements, the music takes care of itself.
John Ferrara
April 2007
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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 >> | |
