Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jason Campbell: Live & Unveiled

Jason Campbell: Live & Unveiled

By Jim Santella
March 23, 2009
View read count

Jazz guitarist Jason Campbell recorded this live album with his trio in Sydney, Australia, just before he left for New York and a new home where he continues to interpret covers of classic themes as well as sterling originals. It's not just any trio. Campbell brings the memorable guitar/organ combo sound back to mainstream jazz with a velvet-thumping organ bass line and curlicue melodies from Darren Heinrich, appropriate textures from drummer Andrew Dickeson which suit each composition to a tee, and stellar guitar rides that portray Campbell as a lover of the fine art of bending strings and weighing in with spontaneous licks.

The trio swings on numbers such as "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "The Sidewinder" with echoes of the veteran units who put those lovely songs on the map. Each of the three artists puts a fresh outlook on these classic pieces, as the guitar skyrockets with enthusiasm, the organ pumps up a firestorm with its unique texture, and the drum set cascades upon a solid foundation that's ever-changing in its approach. George Benson's "Low Down & Dirty" falls into place as a mood piece that ripples under the skin with head-shakin' feelings—can't help getting caught up in that one.

Campbell's trio plays music for the soul, music to remember, and music that unwinds those taut "guitar strings" that are carried around with us in the form of headaches or just plain old depression. He and his band mates provide a permanent cure for the blues and a big boost for optimism.

Track Listing

The Sidewinder; Segment; Old Folks; Baby, It

Personnel

Wally Richardson

guitar

Jason Campbell: guitar; Darren Heinrich: organ; Andrew Dickeson: drums.

Album information

Title: Live & Unveiled | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced

About Wally Richardson

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Up the Turret Mil
< Previous

Evan Parker/ Paul Dunmall Quartet Li...
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.