[Dixielandjazz] John Pizzarelli reviewed

[Robert Ringwald]

John Pizzarelli reviewed

John Pizzarelli: Rockin' in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington
by Steve Greenlee
Boston Globe, February 22, 2010

Duke Ellington tributes are a dime a dozen. In fact, they're probably down to a nickel
a dozen. So why would singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli give us yet another one? Because
he knows how to do it, and because his is so incredibly infectious. Tribute albums
are becoming a thing with Pizzarelli; "Rockin' in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington"
arrives two years after he saluted composer Richard Rodgers and four years after
he paid homage to Frank Sinatra (he's also done Nat King Cole and the Beatles). His
fresh, lively arrangements of Ellington's best-known stuff raise this album above
run-of-the-mill reworkings, from "In a Mellow Tone" that opens the disc to "Cottontail"
and "Rockin' in Rhythm" that closes it. In between are all sorts of surprises and
guest appearances, including saxophonist Harry Allen blowing through "C Jam Blues"
and Pizzarelli's legendary father, Bucky, taking the guitar solo on "Satin Doll."
The most surprising and most exciting number is a version of "Perdido" with vocalists
Kurt Elling and Jessica Molaskey (Pizzarelli's wife) that evokes the great vocalese
trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. (Out tomorrow)


--Bob Ringwald K6YBV
rsr at ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
916/806-9551

Check out our latest recording at www.ringwald.com/recordings.htm

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