Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Paul Bollenback: Invocation
Paul Bollenback: Invocation
On Brightness of Being (Elefant Dreams, 2006), Bollenback demonstrated his value as a composer and player. For his second project on Elefant Dreams, the guitarist is joined by bassist Ed Howard; drummer Victor Lewis; trumpeter/flugelhornist Randy Brecker, and with vocalist Chris McNulty's vocalese featured on several tracks.
Bollenback shows his compositional and playing mettle on several originals, as well as the jazz/R&B standard "Everything Must Change," by Bernard Ighner, Johnny Mandel's ballad, "Emily," and the Irving Berlin classic, "How Deep is the Ocean." Brecker and McNulty's presence is most effective on the two-part title track that invokes inner peace in a manner reminiscent of Coltrane's famed A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1964). On the album closer, a version of Coltrane's "After the Rain," Brecker plays the melody while Bollenback's spacey guitar fills reflect the style of decades past.
Bollenback covers a wide variety of styles beyond the initial bluesy manner that he displayed with DeFrancesco. Having seen him in a swinging guitar trio setting, as well as playing with Ed Howard in the summer of 2007 behind singer Karrin Allyson, only reinforces respect for his chops and musical growth.
Track Listing
Dancing Dancing Leaf; Alter Ego; How Deep is the Ocean; Everything Must Change; Invocation, Part 1; Invocation, Part 2; Emily; Songline; After the Rain.
Personnel
Paul Bollenback
guitarPaul Bollenback: guitar; Randy Brecker: trumpet, flugelhorn; Victor Lewis: drums; Ed Howard: bass; Chris McNulty: vocals.
Album information
Title: Invocation | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Elefant Dreams Records
Comments
Tags
For the Love of Jazz
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.
Giveaway
Days remaining: 5
