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The Harry Allen Orchestra: With Roses
ByIn fleshing out the way he wanted to approach the music, Allen thought it would be appropriate to utilize two horn sections, one focusing on jazz horns consisting of two trumpets, two tenor saxophones and one trombone; while the other would be a classical horn section featuring two flutes, two clarinets and a bass clarinet. Additionally, most tracks feature New York-based vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan whose full-bodied voice seems tailor-made for these songs.
The opener "It All Catches Up with You in the End" is a solid swinger from the first beat, and the chart takes full advantage of the jazz horn section. The snappy lyrics by Bruce Brown are delivered in an expressive fashion by Yeghiazaryan's distinctive voice. The follow-on track "Be The One" has a lilting 5/4 time signature which fits hand-in-glove with the structure of the classical horn section, and offers some solo space to bass clarinetist Dan Block. Allen chips in with a tenor saxophone interjection, which is no less calming despite its brevity.
What a difference the adverb "Here" or "When" makes. For example the Roger Frankham composition "Here in Rome" compared to the Cy Coleman & Carolyn Leigh song "When in Rome"; the former is a ballad about lost love with the opening couplet, "Here in Rome / I am just another tourist lost at sea." And, although the arrangement is carefully crafted and well executed, it is hard to escape the feeling of melancholy which Yeghiazaryan's vocal imbues to the lyrics. "When in Rome" is a cheerful little ditty performed at a breezy tempo with the closing couplet, "When in Rome / I do as the Romans do."
Written as a waltz, the title track "With Roses" has lyrics by the well-known singer-songwriter Mark Winkler. Yeghiazaryan gives the lyrics a tender reading with Allen's incisive tenor saxophone interjected for a few bars. The closer is "On My Way" with lyrics by Frankham and music by Winkler & Frankham. This is an infectious number with a toe-tapping tempo. Yeghiazaryan's reading of the lyrics is in keeping with the composers' intent and, like a cup of coffee, "good to the last drop."
Track Listing
It All Catches Up with You in the End; Be the One; The Maestro; Here in Rome; That Far Away Fella; Diamonds; That's When the Fun Starts; With Roses; Takes a Moment; On My Way.
Personnel
Harry Allen
saxophoneJohn di Martino
pianoMike Karn
bassLucy Yeghiazaryan
vocalsWarren Vache
cornetFreddie Hendrix
trumpetJohn Allred
tromboneGrant Stewart
saxophone, tenorAaron Kimmel
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Peter Anderson: clarinet; Will Anderson: clarinet; Dan Block: bass clarinet; Steve Kenyon: flute; Kathleen Nester: flute; Bryan Carter: drums.
Album information
Title: With Roses | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Triangle7
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