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Chris Standring: Wonderful World
ByBesides the strings, Standring is supported on various tracks by bassists Gascoyne, Chuck Berghofer or Darek Oles and drummers Peter Erskine, Harvey Mason or David Karasony, but their primary task is to keep time while the orchestra plays and Standring solos. Berghofer does have one brief solo, on Cole Porter's "Night and Day." Elsewhere, it's basically all Standring all the time, save for a brief guest appearance by flugelhornist Randy Brecker on Standring's slow-breaking "Sunrise." Of the album's eleven tunes, only one"On Green Dolphin Street"pushes forward more rapidly than a ballad.
The othersfrom Jobim's "How Insensitive" to the standards "Autumn in New York," "Falling in Love with Love" and "My Foolish Heart" to "Estate," Burt Bacharach/Hal David's theme from "Alfie" and Donald Fagen's "Maxine"assume the same hushed and reposeful stance, calmly awaiting the entrance of Standring's genteel and melodious manifestos. The atmosphere is so even-tempered that the drummers could have left their sticks at home, as brushes aloneeven "On Green Dolphin Street"are more than adequate. There is one vocal, by Kathrin Shorr on the title song. As noted, the music is charming, and Standring is a splendid guitarist, but Wonderful World is best suited for those who are happiest living on a diet comprised solely of tender ballads and love songs.
Track Listing
How Insensitive; Night and Day; Autumn in New York; Estate; What a Wonderful World; On Green Dolphin Street; Alfie; Falling in Love with Love; Sunrise; Maxine; My Foolish Heart.
Personnel
Chris Standring
guitarGeoff Gascoyne
bassRandy Brecker
trumpetPeter Erskine
drumsHarvey Mason
drumsDavid Karasony
drumsChuck Berghofer
bass, acousticDarek Oles
bassKathrin Shorr
vocalsAlbum information
Title: Wonderful World | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Ultimate Vibe
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