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Joey DeFrancesco: Singin' And Swingin'

By Jim Santella
November 1, 2001
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Just look at that song list! These are standards that cook every time out. Organist Joey DeFrancesco takes the bull by the horns and performs themhisway. Hammond B-3 melodies control the session and provide great listening. With his trio, DeFrancesco wows any crowd, any place, any time. His boundless energy and the natural manner with which he builds each solo portion tend to color his work favorably all the time. However, it's not one of DeFrancesco's better performances. This time out, he sings. Even Frank Capp's superb big band can't hide the fact that Joey DeFrancesco sings with a thin, shallow voice quality and an amateur's phrasing. The recording studio should have extended its reach into the shower, where his voice would no doubt sound much better.

Eight of the thirteen tracks include Frank Capp's big band; two tracks add strings. Battling tenors Pete Christlieb and Rickey Woodard add considerable life to "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." Like Count Basie's legendary big band, Capp's orchestra swings with a comfortable lilt. Horace Ott's arranging brings swing and considerable grace to each of the big band numbers. Brief audio samples from "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "They Say that Falling In Love Is Wonderful" and "Kansas City" are available at www.joeydefrancesco.com . The album ends with two trio instrumental tracks. That is, after all, DeFrancesco's strength. At the Hammond B-3 he's tops. By sticking to what works best, he will continue to provide great listening.

Track Listing

You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To; Mr. Dennis Houlihan; They Say it's Wonderful; Did You Hear Him Holler?; Mack The Knife; One Mint Julep; In the Wee Small Hours; I Thought About You; The Sidewalk is Wild; Let Me Love You Tonight; Kansas City; Danny Boy; I'm Getting Sentimental Over You.

Personnel

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3

Joey DeFrancesco- Hammond B-3 organ, vocals, trumpet; Paul Bollenback- guitar; Byron "Wookie" Landham- drums; Frank Szabo, Wayne J. Bergeron, Conte Candoli, Carl Saunders- trumpet; Andy Martin, George Bohanon, Bob McChesney, Mike Millar- trombone; Sal Lozano, Don Shelton- alto saxophone; Pete Christlieb, Rickey Woodard- tenor saxophone; Jack Nimitz- baritone saxophone; Ray Brown- bass; Mike Howard- guitar on "In the Wee Small Hours" and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You;" Dave Cook- drums on "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You;" Paul Leibelshon- drums on "In the Wee Small Hours;" Bruce Dukov, Russ Cantor, Gil Romero, Rachel Purkin, Horia Moroaica, Debbie Price, Patricia Johnson, Darius Campo- violin; Harry Shirinian, Jorge Moraga- viola; Vage Ayrikyan, Armen Ksajikian- cello.

Album information

Title: Singin' And Swingin' | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

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