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Bob DeVos: Playing For Keeps
Good music never goes out of style, and DeVos wears all of these influences well. But this string man also comes up with a fresh take on the traditions cemented by the musical brethren he admires. He weaves a multi-textured fabric of rich warm modern sounds out of standards as well as originals dashingly realized by his trio. As they did on his earlier Savant release Shifting Sands, drummer Steve Johns' lively cymbalism and Dan Kostelnik's energetic musings on Hammond B3 organ provide just the right mix of spunk and spice to support DeVos' funky groove. Accomplished tenorist Eric Alexander provides added punch on four tracks.
Standouts on this swinging journey include DeVos' own "Pause for Fred's Claws, exhibiting his bent for blues and more, and the classic "Body and Soul, in 3/4 time instead of 4/4, with Alexander amiably horning in. "Blues on the Corner, from McCoy Tyner's The Real McCoy (with DeVos, to quote himself, "playing the tenor part, Dan the piano role, but organically) and a delicious exploration of Monk's harmonically challenging "Ask Me Now are also highlights, as is an original honoring Montgomery, the aptly monikered "Wes Is More. Oh, it's all good, very personable. As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Track Listing
And So It Goes; Naima; Pause For Fred
Personnel
Bob DeVos
guitar, electricBob DeVos: guitar; Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone (1, 5, 8, 10); Dan Kostelnik: Hammond B-3 organ; Steve Johns: drums.
Album information
Title: Playing For Keeps | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Savant Records
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Carol of the Bells
Comments
About Bob DeVos
Instrument: Guitar, electric
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