[Dixielandjazz] Randy Reinhart CD review

[Steve Barbone]

"Gerard Bielderman" <gerard.bielderman at tiscali.nl>
 
> Randy Reinhart's recent Arbors CD has been mentioned more than one time as a
> top production. However, all reviews or opinions are always subjective. For
> instance, the reviewer in the Dutch Dr. Jazz Magazine writes:
> "What will these excellent musicians prove with a title like Blues my
> naughty.... of 10 minutes? The whole programme is something like a
> semi-organised jam session. And that's a pity for how that sounds, we do
> know: just a bit too much without engagement and a bit bloodless. The
> ballads come across a bit pale and the fast numbers appear - despite the
> excellent soloists - to go on the automatic pilot."
> I hasten to add that I like the CD very much, especially the Yellow Dog
> Blues.
> 
> Gerard Bielderman / Leie 18 / 8032 ZG  ZWOLLE / Netherlands
> Publisher of jazz discographies

Hi Gerard & List mates.

Thank you for that review. It is a good illustration of your point that jazz
reviews are subjective. Perhaps it also illustrates a difference in how some
Europeans and some Americans "listen" to the music.

Examples: 

1) Many of Americans prefer "semi-organized" jam sessions, or even jam
   sessions with excellent musicians, as opposed to highly arranged
   renditions, because the sessions are usually a lot more exciting.

2) However if the reviewer thought the CD sounded like a jam session, he has
   not really listened to too many real jam sessions. (IMO, of course) I
   hear a very precise excitement throughout the CD.

2) Many Americans prefer soloist oriented music. That automatic pilot sound
   to us is a rhythm section that does its job perfectly. It is exactly what
   is supposed to happen behind the soloist so that he can create freely.
   e.g. Davern's solo and the back-up in Yellow Dog Blues.

3) Note that you liked Yellow Dog which is 11 minutes long in spite of the
   reviewer who thought that the 10 minute Naughty Sweetie was too long. For
   me both tune renditions are simply superb.

4) I hear all sorts of engagement on all of the tunes, from the trading
   fours on Naughty Sweetie to the ballads, which I love. Perhaps because I
   grew up visiting nightclubs where Condon, Conrad Janis, Pee Wee Erwin,
   Georg Brunis Wild Bill Davison, Louis Armstrong, Kenny Davern, Pee Wee
   Russell and others were playing, along with rhythm sections that included
   Gene Schroeder, Tony Spargo, George Wettling, Pops Foster, Charlie
   Traeger, Sid Cattlet, Gene Krupa, Ace Tesone, Louis Armstrong and a bunch
   of other exciting guys played. Thus I don't "hear" the music via records.
   I hear the music the way those masters played it live, and this record
   gets as close to that feeling for jazz as any I've heard produced in the
   past 30 years.

Has the reviewer done a review of Ed Metz's Bob Cats recent CD? Or one of
Jim Cullum's Band? It would be interesting to see how he hears these very
organized and very good bands. And there fine solos within their song
frameworks.

As a devotee of Chicago/NewYork/Kansas City style Dixieland, I absolutely
adore the solo expertise on Reinhart's CD. All of them are outstandingly
musical and "new" in concept. Barrett uses some harmonics that are
particularly outstanding as does Reinhart. Davern? Well he is simply the
best. Sheridan & Chirillo are also doing their jobs perfectly as is Tate,
and Tony DiNicola. Isn't it exciting to hear single string guitar solos?

As a musician who gigs with Randy and DiNicola on occasion, I can also state
that working in a band with Randy is one of the finest musical treats
another musician can have. The lead, the harmonics, the excitement he
creates all add up to an unforgettable experience. And Tony? He is a legend.

If I was mean spirited, I would say that the reviewer you quote is a damn
fool regarding creative OKOM jazz. But since I am not, I can only opine that
there is a difference in both the way some Americans play and listen to jazz
as opposed to how some Europeans play and hear it.

If that is the case, we will never agree as to who is right, or which bands
are better. But since Jazz is a uniquely "invented here" art form, I'll take
"our" side most every time.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone