Chris Walden; Home of the Heart

[graypencil]

For those among us who still like big jazz bands:



I just recieved this CD yesterday, "Home of my Heart " ( Origin 82439 ) and I've only been through it once last evening, but:

IMO, this is one of the very best written , played, and recorded big band CDs I've heard in years ..bar none!

Chris is a youngish (38 ) film writer from LA ( via Germany ) and this CD really shows he has a very interesting approach to the big band format , is extremely facile in his harmonic approach ( check out the reharmonized "Cherokee" that opens the CD ), and most of all, really knows how to get the band swinging. This is excellent modern mainstream big band writing at its best.

The players are basically the usual LA team suspects that absolutely NAIL these charts, and all of it was immaculately recorded and mixed by one of the best, Al Schmidt.

It's really gonna be hard to top this CD this year in the realm of big bands.

[Jazzooo]

I like the CD too, Phil. I saw them live (with Peter Erskine on drums) and it was just terrific.

[Mike Schwartz]

It's on the current KSJS, San Jose/www.ksjs.org playlist

[Capt.W./TX.]

I think I heard the version of "Cherokee" on KNTU-FM (Denton, TX) the other day.

Great, interesting harmonization; it reminded me of some of Jim McNeely's stuff, specifically his way of handling alternative harmonizations
on standard tunes.

The alto solo was very good, too. Who was it?

[graypencil]

I think I heard the version of "Cherokee" on KNTU-FM (Denton, TX) the other day.

Great, interesting harmonization; it reminded me of some of Jim McNeely's stuff, specifically his way of handling alternative harmonizations
on standard tunes.

The alto solo was very good, too. Who was it?

Dave:

the alto guy was Jeff Driskill ..and yes, he DOES get a burn going!

Some of the other tracks ( like the title track ) would remind you harmonically of Brookmeyers later NAO stuff ..

as I said ..great CD