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Doug Lawrence: Doug Lawrence & Friends
ByWhile recording dates and sites are not given ("studio" and "location," the jacket says), there is clearly more than one session involved, as guitarist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth appear on tracks 1 to 3, and are replaced by guitarist Kyle Asche and drummer Xavier Breaker on tracks 4 to 6. Organist Dan Trudell is the lone constant, performing on every track, while trumpeter Freddie Hendrix and baritone saxophonist Frank Basile make it a sextet on the first two numbers, Lawrence's freewheeling "Night Flight" and Jimmy Forrest's graphically paved "Soul Street." Lawrence, backed by the rhythm section, plays flute on Track 3, Big John Patton's rhythmically robust "Latona."
Lawrence, an outspoken and self-assured soloist from the Foster/Dexter Gordon/Gene Ammons/Johnny Griffin school of audacious boppers, is quite generous when it comes to giving his friends a chance to shine. Hendrix and Basile make the most of that, soloing earnestly on "Night Flight" and "Soul Street," while Lawrence "takes flight" on his own opener and delivers the goods again on "Soul Street" before crafting an ardent flute solo on "Latona." Even though Lawrence leads a quartet the rest of the way, he makes sure that Trudell, Asche, Webber, Farnsworth and Breaker have their say as well, taking care to assure that his firm and powerful voice never overshadows anyone.
Lawrence is loose and swinging on Hank Mobley's assertive "Early Morning Stroll," shows he is at ease with a ballad on "Tenderly," and closes the album with yet another gentle serenade, "I Want a Little Girl," which is altogether fitting, as the album is dedicated to Lawrence's teen-age daughter, Lyla. She should be pleased by the outcome, as should anyone who appreciates good- natured, straight-from-the-shoulder jazz.
Track Listing
Night Flight; Soul Street; Latona; Tenderly; Early Morning Stroll; I Want a Little Girl.
Personnel
Doug Lawrence
saxophone, tenorFreddie Hendrix
trumpetFrank Basile
saxophone, baritoneDan Trudell
organ, Hammond B3Kyle Asche
guitarJohn Webber
bass, acousticXavier Breaker
drumsJoe Farnsworth
drumsAlbum information
Title: Doug Lawrence & Friends | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Doug Lawrence
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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