Vinnie Zummo: Jazz and Pop Tale Daze

Vinnie Zummo is best known for his guitar playing with singer & songwriter Joe Jackson. He appeared on every Jackson album from Body and Soul (A&M, 1984), through Blaze of Glory (A&M, 1989), returning for The Duke (Razor & Tie Recordings, 2012). He also has a long history of mostly one-man-band recordings on his own Vaz Music label, on which he plays guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and chromatic harmonica (as well as vocals) at a high level. His long experience of playing all the parts results in tracks which truly sound like a band. He says he approached this album with little pre-planning, preferring to improvise.

"Power" opens the set with brassy funk, featuring a brash organ part, tight drums and plenty of burning lead guitar. Nothing about the performance sounds loose or unplanned, including the chromatic harmonica solo (which might be unexpected elsewhere, but it has become a Zummo trademark). "Pocket Bop" has a bossa nova feel—another Zummo perennial—and benefits from acoustic bass playing by guest David Katzenberg. "Hair Scro" immediately calls Steely Dan to mind: smooth, tuneful jazzy pop. Zummo has the kind of guitar chops heard on Steely Dan records as well. "Prosody" goes into the ethnic side of Weather Report, with the harmonica making an especially effective appearance and adding to the lilting groove.

"Jazz and Cocktail Days" is a vocal feature for Vinnie and his wife Janice Zummo. It declares that "New York City is a very different world," but there is also plenty of space for guitar and organ solos. "Bassford Manor" is a reggae tune, demonstrating Zummo's versatility and love of different grooves. "Always Mean To Me Blues" gives off a strong Delta blues vibe, with acoustic guitar, LP noise, and lead vocals from Big Belly Lightcap (whoever that is). The closing track "Ballade Pour Jeff Beck" is a splendid homage to the great guitarist, including evocative whammy bar work. A lovely ending to a diverse collection of music. It features Zummo's virtuosic guitar playing but is also a showcase for his skills as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger.