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D.B. Shrier: D. B. Shrier emerges

By Mike Jurkovic
March 23, 2023
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The provenance behind this full-bore blow out recorded in 1967 by Philadelphia tenor sax legend D.B. Shrier differs from most myths in the fact that we now have pure, full-blown proof of what a night in his company sounded like: A scorching combustion of energy, virtuosity and audience adulation.

Originally released by Alfa Records in 1967, the first five tracks of D.B. Shrier emerges may sound a primitive as hell having been recorded at a community college, but it surely burns like hell as Shrier, raring to go and fired-up by the lineage of Coleman Hawkins, Benny Golson, Lucky Thompson and Sonny Rollins bristles to life on the opening blast of Gigi Gryce's straight-shooting, no-frills, minor blues "Blue Lights." It is instant ignition as Shrier shreds, bassist Tyrone Brown walks the walk, pianist Mike Michaels veers, volleys and drummer William Roye does the bash 'n' crash.

The fun and excitement continues with Brown's off-center, eight-to-the-four-bar "East." "Raveesh," pianist Michaels' dark investigation of Middle Eastern tonalities, not only speculates and hints at both John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane, but his rock-sliding solo twining between Roye's muscular spirit rumbles and Shrier's roiling mantra makes for some fine listening. Shrier, channeling Billie Holiday, and Michaels, conjuring Nat King Cole, make beautiful on "These Foolish Things." A blistering "All Blues" concludes the original release with a five-alarm fire.

This new extended release then features five more burners recorded at gigs in the Philly and Boston area. Browns's Latin-leaning "Opus #3" lets you know these guys thought way beyond their regional gigs and the occasional headline and spotlight. Recorded at a party at his house in Newton, Massachusetts, Charlie Parker's ageless "Steeplechase" gets a sure run for its money as Shrier blows cool blue and this version of the quartet, Ron Brown on piano, bassist Phil Morrison and Bill Elgart on drums, swing with the best of them. Shrier's rousing "Helene" highlights D.B. Shrier emerges and serves to show how much great talent is just next door and right around the corner and most often goes unheard.

Track Listing

Blue Lights; East; Raveesh; These Foolish Things; All Blues; Opus #3; Indiana; Steeplchase; Helene; Just You, Just Me.

Personnel

D.B. Shrier: saxophone, tenor; Tyrone Brown: bass; Mike Michaels: piano; William Roye: drums.

Additional Instrumentation

Bob Pitcoff: bass #7; Allan Elgart: drums #7; Ron Brown: piano #8; Phil Morrison: bass #8; Bill Elgart: drums #8.

Album information

Title: D. B. Shrier emerges | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Omnivore Recordings

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