Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Justin Morell Quintet: The Music Of Steely Dan

195

Justin Morell Quintet: The Music Of Steely Dan

By

Sign in to view read count
Justin Morell Quintet: The Music Of Steely Dan
Rock/pop band, "Steely Dan" signified the epitome of hip-ness thanks to a string of monumentally successful recordings. They blended cool, jazzy licks with memorably melodic themes and soul, blues, rock frameworks during their successful 1970's run. In fact, the main proprietors of the band, keyboardist, Donald Fagen, and bassist, Walter Becker hired well-known jazz session musicians on several occasions. So, the jazz connection was in place, amid the unit's witty or perhaps, Dylan-esque lyricism and often endearing arrangements. With that, twenty-eight year old, Los Angeles, guitarist/film scorer, Justin Morell, and his band of Southern California session aces reinterpret six Steely Dan classics (Becker/Fagen), along with a lone Fagen composition, and one original.

The quintet's modus operandi rings loud and clear as Morell, John Daversa (trumpet) and Tom Peterson (saxophone) jubilantly state the memorable choruses in concert with the jazz-based rhythms. Whereby, the guitarist often anchors the proceedings via his deft comping and beautifully structured soloing. They adhere to the original compositions while injecting a personalized stamp into works such as the dreamy "Home At Last," and others. In addition, the soloists articulate a mild frenzy atop the rhythm section's leanly executed swing on, "I Got The News."

The musicians touch upon a higher worldly plane during their modern jazz-based spin of "The Royal Scam." On this piece, the soloists' augment the song's soulful motif with ferocious call and response type dialogue. Legendary L.A. session drummer, John Guerin lays down a brisk strut in support of Daversa's warmly stated lines and Peterson's soul-searching tenor sax solo on "Babylon Sisters." Bassist, Todd Sickafoose often propels the band into mid-tempo swing vamps while Morell's well-placed chord progressions provide a budding flow throughout.

Many of "Steely Dan's" LPs continue to enjoy staying power, as Morell and co. parallels that notion in exuberant (jazz-based) fashion with this glowing testament to a great outfit. Highly recommended.

Track Listing

Home at Last; My Rival; I Got the News; Third World Man; The Royal Scam; Maxine; End of the Line; Babylon Sisters.

Personnel

Justin Morell: guitar

Album information

Title: The Music Of Steely Dan | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Sonic Frenzy Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.