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W&E Swing: Moonshine
ByDrummer Alex Maio and bassist Matt Turowski keep the band moving perfectly in the pocket throughout the recording. Turowski's swinging bass licks are both lyrical and driven with his agility on the fret board and clarity most evident on "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" played at breakneck speed. A swinging version of "Fly Me to the Moon" is accented by Ed Neiderhiser's muted trumpet and Pugliese' melodic guitar solo. A slow rendition of "Moonlight in Vermont" with pleasant phrasings by Bourne is made even more captivating by Eric Loken's vibraphone accents and solos. The tune choices remind the listener how many songs are written about the moon, and the beauty of the works and music reminds us why.
Moonshine is a lovely first album for W&E Swing. With talented musicians, a charming vocalist and music made by a group of friends who simply met at a jam session at a brew pub, it has a good back story along with a good sound. We can only hope for more from the band.
Track Listing
How High The Moon; It's Only A Paper Moon; Moon River, It Must Have Been Moonglow; What A Little Moonlight Can Do; Moondance; Fly Me To The Moon; Shine On Harvest Moon; Moonlight In Vermont; Old Devil Moon.
Personnel
Wendi Bourne, lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2,3,4,6,8); Ernie Pugliese, rhythm guitar (1,5,6,7,9,10), guitar solo (1,4,7,8,10), guitar intro (6,8,9);Matt Turowski, upright bass; Alex Maio, drums (except 8); Richard "Shepp" Sheppard, gypsy guitar (5), percussion (8), guitar (9,10); Bill Nixon, violin (3,4,5); Thomas Razler, tenor sax (1,6,10); Ed Neiderhiser, trumpet (2,7); Eric Loken, vibes (9,10); Girl's From Mars, Lauren Janson & Annie Patterson, back up vocals (4,8).
Album information
Title: Moonshine | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced