Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Corey Christiansen Quartet: Outlaw Tractor

254

Corey Christiansen Quartet: Outlaw Tractor

By

Sign in to view read count
Corey Christiansen Quartet: Outlaw Tractor
Guitarist extraordinaire Corey Christiansen displays a crisp attack with scorching solos on Outlaw Tractor, a disc full of no-nonsense, organ-based, groovy jazz. Christiansen, who is also a well-known educator and author of guitar-related instructional material, recruits the talents of organist Pat Bianchi to create a rollicking vibe reminiscent of the classic pairing of Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith in the 1960s.

The irresistible boogaloo, "Down Time," and Larry Young-style blues waltz, "Carefree," set the tone of the session with extended, blues-based bop from Christiansen, Bianchi and saxophonist David Halliday. With traces of the late sax giant Eddie Harris, Halliday sets the pace to the funky "When You Want," a clear-cut piece with a slightly angular theme. "Starstepper" showcases the quartet's penchant for straight-ahead blowing, especially from Christiansen, and a tireless pulse from drummer Matt Jorgensen.

Jorgensen, a diverse drummer who is able to shift musical gears easily, lays down an unsympathetic backbeat on the title track, and kicks things into high gear on the up-tempo swing of "Big Kids," featuring an explosive solo from Bianchi. The funk returns once more, to end the disc with the craftily titled "The Penguins Deserve Better." Here, Christiansen shows off his rock chops, with a wah-wah pedal tastefully thrown in for good measure.

With every tune a winner, Outlaw Tractor is a fun-filled ride, full of irresistible grooves from a quartet that is rock-solid.

Track Listing

Down Time; Carefree; When You Want; Starstepper; Outlaw Tractor; Big Kids; The Penguins Deserve Better.

Personnel

Corey Christiansen: guitar; David Halliday: saxophone; Pat Bianchi: organ; Matt Jorgensen: drums.

Album information

Title: Outlaw Tractor | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Origin Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.