Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tony Monaco: The Definition of Insanity
Tony Monaco: The Definition of Insanity
ByMonaco doesn't stick to a strictly soul-jazz program, but everything he plays here is infused with a profound soulfulness. Opening with a cool run through the Phish tune "Cars Trucks Buses," his quartet circles the jam-band school with guitarist Derek DiCenzo's jangly notes and the Orleans swing of drummer Tony McClung. Monaco intends to take us through an assortment of emotions during this party. He shifts into Lee Morgan's bossa nova with "Ceora," then pulls the rug out with "Root Down," which fans of the Beastie Boys will instantly recognize from their recording Ill Communication (Grand Royal, 1994). The music was actually sampled from Jimmy Smith's 1972 composition "Root Down (and Get It)." Monaco's version, with the funk spread thick by DiCenzo, give a nod to the Boys, but retains the feel of Smith's version. Head swimming by now (and it should be), Monaco shifts into the (often considered banal) Italian pop tune "Quando Quando Quando." Like much of Monaco's party music, he can inject life into a corny corpse. Even the Grateful Dead's (imagine Jeffrey Lebowski telling his cab driver, "I've had a rough day and I hate the Dead") "Truckin'" rallies with a certain glint that satisfies both the jazzbo and neo-hippie.
But, it ain't a party unless Monaco delivers a sermon. Here, we get three vocals by the organist. "Never Let Me Go" adds piano by Asako Monaco, Tony's wife. The Leon Russell classic "A Song For You" is delivered with Monaco playing some piano then organ, and on the traditional Neapolitan song "Non Ti Scordare Di Me," he adds accordion to his vocals. Bravo maestro, bravo.
Track Listing
Cars Trucks Buses; Ceora; Root Down; Never Let Me Go; Quando Quando Quando; Non Ti Scordare Di Me; Awa Athar; Last Date; Truckin’; Triste; A Song for You.
Personnel
Album information
Title: The Definition of Insanity | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Chicken Coup Records
Comments
About Tony Monaco
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar ToTags
tony monaco
Album Reviews
Mark Corroto
Mouthpiece Music
The Definition of Insanity
Chicken Coup Records
Jimmy Smith
Brother Jack McDuff
Reuben Wilson
Jimmy McGriff
lee morgan