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John Lang: Now Ear This
ByThe album was recorded in two "sessions," with five songs performed by a quartet, six by an octet. Armacost is on the octet's front line with Blankinship, alto Ken Gioffre and trombonist Matthew MacDonald, and a rhythm section comprised of Lang, guitarist Jay Azzolina, pianist Gary Fisher and drummer John Romagnoli. Within the quartet, Lang's partners are pianist Matthew Sheens, guitarist Avi Rothbard and drummer Mike Campenni. As noted, Lang wrote every number save Curtis Mayfield's "Pusherman" and Wes Montgomery's "Four on Six."
Lang's funky opener, "The Town of Tiny Rooms," performed by the quartet, sets the mood, leading to a second quartet number, "Scarborough Cha," before the octet enters on the swarthy "Triolation" and relatively sunny "Without Doubt." The quartet returns on "Addendum," then makes way for the octet on "Four on Six," "Well Done" and "The Night Watch." The swinging "Sis Boom Bah" precedes the earnest finale, "Won by One," whose introductory vocalif one can call it thatis offered by one Milo Lang, presumably John Lang's (pre-school?) son. Welcome to show biz, kid. You've made your debut on an album that has no doubt reached its goal. It remains for the listener to decide whether that goal has enough jazz content to warrant more than a passing glance.
Track Listing
The Town of Tiny Rooms; Scarborough Cha; Trioation; Without Doubt; Addendum; Pusherman; On^ (Four on Six); Well Done; The Night Watch; Sis Boom Bah; Won by One.
Personnel
John Lang
bassAvi Rothbard
guitarMatthew Sheens
pianoMike Campenni
drumsDan Blankinship
trumpetKen Gioffre
saxophone, altoTim Armacost
saxophone, tenorMatthew MacDonald
tromboneJay Azzolina
guitarGary Fisher
pianoJohn Romagnoli
drumsJason DeBord
keyboardsMilo Lang
vocalsAdditional Instrumentation
Session 1: Avi Rothbard: guitar; Matthew Sheens: piano; John Lang: bass; Mike Campenni: drums. Session 2: Dan Blankinship: trumpet; Ken Gioffre: alto sax; Tim Armacost: tenor sax; Matthew MacDonald: trombone; Jay Azzolina: guitar; Gary Fisher: piano; John Lang: bass; John Romagnoli: drums. Over-dub crewLang: keyboards; Romagnoli: percussion; Jason DeBord: Hammond organ; Milo Lang: vocal (11).
Album information
Title: Now Ear This | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced
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