Royce Campbell Plays for Lovers Personnel: Royce Campbell: guitar; Fred Hersch: piano; Lynn Seaton: bass; Mark Wolfley: drums. Tracks: Estate; Body and Soul; Sounds of Love; Waltz for Debby; A Time for Love; I Concentrate on You; I Feel Like We Have Met Before; This is All I Ask; But Beautiful.

After listening to Royce Campbell’s Play’s for Lovers, I can tell you that this is simply one of the most beautiful releases of the last several years. Accompanied by Fred Hersch and a lush chamber orchestra (directed by Carol DeCamp), Campbell delivers beauty and elegance over some the prettiest tunes in the American Songbook. Together with arranger Carol DeCamp (Campbell’s Uncle and mentor) they have collaborated in creating one luscious body of work for the aficionado or even the most serious of Jazz listeners.  

Previously issued as Royce Campbell With Strings (Chase, 1999), the album features the studio orchestra under the direction of Carroll DeCamp. His musical arrangements highlight numerous soloists on flute, violin, and French horn. All of which are gorgeous melodic lines featuring each instrument. Fred Hersch also provides lovely piano solos and rich accompaniments.

Campbell responds with tasteful swinging solo’s and beautiful captivating guitar. His playing is ever so precise, clean and extremely tasteful. Though, the entire album is romantic and beautiful in nature, Campbell delivers with one remarkable improvisation after another. The serious jazz listener will be impressed by the accurate harmonic sculptures entrenched with mastered phrasing on all of these tunes. By adding Hersch to the mix, one who himself is a master of the American songbook (Check out Hersch plays the Rogers and Hart Songbook!) you have a formula not only for success, but creating a disc that very well may last for the ages.

If beauty is your thing, this is an album you cannot pass up! It’s a serious must buy! You’ll be playing this for every get together, on the road and for the one you care about the most. Royce personally dedicated this music to his wife of the last 10 years, you’ll hear why. If this music does not sweep the one you love off their feet, I’m not sure anything else would!!

Congrads Royce!! For more information about the music of Royce Campbell, please visit: RoyceCampbell.com