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Dr. Lonnie Smith: The Healer
ByFour of the six songs that make up this record appeared in some shape or form on recent Smith releasesRise Up! (Palmetto, 2009) or Spiral (Palmetto, 2010)but this isn't just more of the same. These stages gave Smith a chance to develop what he laid down in the studio and he revels in the opportunity to explore in full. His reputation as a world class, in-the-moment surgeon of sound is upheld here as he doles out stuttered phrases over a Portishead-sounding, trip-hop-meets-rock back drop ("Backtrack"), mixes keyboard oddities and loose offerings into a cranking, wholly electrified take on a tune associated with trumpet great Lee Morgan ("Beehive"), and strolls through easy-going funk with style ("Dapper Dan").
Drummer Jamire Williams' balance of restraint and fire is essential in the development of dynamic arcs in these performances, but it's guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg who proves to be the biggest attention grabber. His solo on "Backtrack" is a brilliantly paced statement of modernism and he finds the right balance between churchy beauty and Allman Brothers soul on "Pilgrimage," which shifts from a sedate, vocal-enhanced gospel-meets-R&B sound to a lively, praise-and-hallelujah stomp.
The Healer marks a new chapter in Smith's life, due to the fact that it serves as the inaugural release on his own Pilgrimage Productions imprint, but it's a continuation of the story that he's writing with this winning trio.
Track Listing
Backtrack; Mellow Mood; Dapper Dan; Chelsea Bridge; Beehive; Pilgrimage.
Personnel
Dr. Lonnie Smith
organ, Hammond B3Dr. Lonnie Smith: Hammond B3 organ, vocals, keyboards, electric percussion; Jonathan Kreisberg: guitar; Jamire Williams: drums.
Album information
Title: The Healer | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Palmetto Records
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About Dr. Lonnie Smith
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
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