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The Ed Palermo Big Band: Eddy Loves Frank
ByPalermo constantly shifts the line-up of his big band to achieve various interpretations and approaches. But whoever is on the stand, one thing is certain: the players are one with vision, verve and vitality.
Asymmetrical horn convolutions greet "Echidna's Arf (Of You)," the lines crisscrossing before alto saxophonist Cliff Lyons leaps up and fires a bristle of taut escarpments. The rhythm changes into a sprightly spring as the horns engage in quick conversation. Palermo orchestrates lush lines to flesh out the tune and burnish the texture.
"Dupree's Paradise" is in constant shift of time and motion. The arrangements are complex, but they drive home the vantage point that a tune can be turned on a note and continue to be effective. A charging blare of horns immersed in the melody, and the counterpoint of baritone sax and the intervention of piano, are connected by the facile flow of ensemble play.
Palermo steps out of the Zappa frame with "America the Beautiful," which he includes as a tribute to his father, a World War II veteran. Sung with warmth and sincerity by Bruce McDaniel, with the voice of Veronica Martell swirling midst the instrumentation, the song makes for an engaging finish to the record.
Track Listing
Night School; Echidna's Arf (Of You); Regyptian Strut; Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?; Dupree's Paradise; What's New in Baltimore; Let's Move to Cleveland; America the Beautiful.
Personnel
Ed Palermo
saxophoneEd Palermo: leader, arranger, alto sax; Paul Adamy: electric bass; Ray Marchica: drums; Bob Quaranta: acoustic piano; Ted Kooshian: Kurzweil; Bruce McDaniel: guitar, vocals; Cliff Lyons: lead alto sax, clarinet; Phil Chester: second alto sax, flute, piccolo, soprano sax; Bill Straub: lead tenor sax, clarinet; Ben Kono: second tenor sax, flute, oboe; Barbara Cifelli: baritone sax, Eb mutant clarinet, bass clarinet; Charles Gordon: lead trombone; Joe Fiedler: second trombone; Matt Ingman: bass trombone; Ronnie Buttacavoli: lead trumpet; John Hines: 2nd trumpet; Steve Jankowski: 3rd trumpet; John Palermo: mandolin (2, 3, 6), guitar (8); Veronica Martell: vocals (8); Rob Paparozzi: bass harmonica (7).
Album information
Title: Eddy Loves Frank | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records