Gary Smulyan - High Noon: The Jazz Soul of Frankie Laine

Lois Gilbert · February-24th-2009, 02:51 AM

CD of the week Gary Smulyan: "High Noon: The Jazz Soul of Frankie Laine" (Reservoir Music): Magisterial baritone saxophonist Smulyan produces exuberant, hard-swinging reflections on Laine's songbook. The gorgeous lines he crafts in "Torchin'," the sorrow he expresses in "A Man Ain't Suppose to Cry" and the tenderness he shows in "We'll Be Together Again" find poetic counterbalance in Mark Masters' lustrous instrumental arrangements.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...0,522182.story

Lois Gilbert · February-24th-2009, 02:56 AM

You can hear sound bites on Gary's site (which we are rebuilding)

http://garysmulyan.com

and it's available here

http://www.jazzcares.com/product_detail.php?pid=625

Great concept and album... I never knew!!

Mike Schwartz · February-24th-2009, 02:21 PM

This CD is currently on the KSJS, San Jose playlist.
The arrangments are by Mark Masters, whose own projects indicate his strengths in this area as well as the new Smulyan.

The supporting cast is super strong as well!

Squaredancecalling Steve · February-24th-2009, 05:49 PM

I've got this one on my list! And I'm probably the lone JCer who regularly listens to Frankie and has his 3-CD box:

Squaredancecalling Steve · March-6th-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

The arrangements are by Mark Masters!

A new name to me, but one for which I'll keep an eye peeled in the future. I'm often luke warm to mainstream band projects, but this album is bright and interesting. I expected the high level of playing, but the freshness of arrangements were a pleasant surprise.

However, if they do a volume two I must insist that they include Miserlou and Answer Me.

Mike Schwartz · March-6th-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

A new name to me, but one for which I'll keep an eye peeled in the future. I'm often luke warm to mainstream band projects, but this album is bright and interesting. I expected the high level of playing, but the freshness of arrangements were a pleasant surprise.

However, if they do a volume two I must insist that they include Miserlou and Answer Me.

Steve,
This was the relatively recent Mark Masters Ensemble CD which I really like, so when I heard the new Smulyan, knew the writing would be good.