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Brent Laidler: Wouldn't Be Here Without You
ByLaidler is a guitarist in the mainstream, pure-tone school of guitarists. No effects pedals or studio trickery, just the clear ringing tone familiar from Charlie Christian forward. His playing is not so much laid back as unruffled and sunny. He does not treat the album as a star turn, however, and in fact is a bit lower on the mix than typical for a leader. The frontline of Mark Buselli (trumpet and flugelhorn) and Ned Boyd (baritone and alto sax and flute) get quite as much solo space as the leader, and organist Jamie Newman is featured on most numbers as well.
Newman's organ is not greasy and overdriven but, in keeping with the vibe of the album, has a lighter sound. For older listeners, it may evoke "Walk Between the Raindrops" from Donald Fagen's solo debut. Another reference point for the album as a whole might be the soundtrack recordings by Henry Mancini. But make no mistake, Wouldn't Be Here Without You is a jazz album, a sixty-minute affair boasting ten tracks with plenty of room to roam. It's just that melodies and arrangements play a more important role than on many combo albums. The first three tracks, for instance, feature Boyd on flute, baritone sax, and alto sax respectively, which keeps the textures and moods varied.
Laidler has a knack (rare among jazzers) of writing hummable, memorable melodies. If you're looking for jazz that soothes and relaxes without ever tipping over into "lite" or "smooth" territory (or, heaven forfend, ASMR noodling), Wouldn't Be Here Without You should punch your ticket. And let's hear it for the evolutionary humor on the cover!
Track Listing
Keeping It Simple; Sunday Mood; You Ain’t the Bossa Me; A Second Chance; City by the Bay; Foo’s Blues; Walt’s Waltz; One More; Wouldn’t Be Here Without You; Pretty Little Bossa.
Personnel
Brent Laidler
guitarMark Buselli
trumpetNed Boyd
saxophoneJamie Newman
organ, Hammond B3C Scott Pazera
bassRichard "Sleepy" Floyd
drumsAlbum information
Title: Wouldn't Be Here Without You | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced
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Brent Laidler
Album Review
Patrick Burnette
Wouldn't Be Here Without You
Self Produced
Charlie Christian
Donald Fagen