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Joe McBride: Texas Rhythm Club

By Dave Nathan
November 1, 2000
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Liner notes and other promotional material to the contrary, when it's all said and done (and heard), this is an album of smooth jazz. There's the never changing, unrelenting rhythmic patterns laid down by the drums playing around keyboards and electronic gizmos. Like rock players everywhere, these guys grab a hold of a couple of chords and never let go like on "Lone Star Boogie". The result is that matters get very boring, very quickly. Having said that, there are a couple of entertaining tracks, mostly where leader Joe McBride sings. "It's You" and "Howzit in Dallas" recall the Motown recordings the Jackson 5 used to make, but with less soul, unfortunately.

For the most part, this is the kind of music one hears riding the elevator or is heard in restaurants or sushi bars frequented by upscale yuppies who pretend they like jazz, but are adult contemporary fans trying to crossover. The music on this set is unoffensive and lack variety. It therefore requires little or no concentration. The appeal of this album will not extend beyond fans of smooth jazz or adult contemporary music.

Track Listing

Texas Rhythm Club; White Rock; Texas Twister*; Howzit in Dallas?; Everything Remains The Same; On the Money; Lake O' the Pines; Lone Star Boogie; It's you; Hot Chilli Pepper; Texas Blues Cruise

Personnel

Joe McBride

Joe McBride - Piano/Keyboards/Vocals; Wayne DeLano - Sax; Martin Walters - Bass; Todd Parsnow - Guitar; Sean McCurley - Drums; Carl Hillman - Bass*; Rodney Booth - Trumpet; Greg Waits - Trombone; Bryan Block Brock - Percussion

Album information

Title: Texas Rhythm Club | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Heads Up International

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