VA - Step Inside Love: A Jazzy Tribute to the Beatles (2007)

Only a few artists successfully record quality versions of songs by the Beatles, but it was and it is a rare and risky proposition. Not here: STEP INSIDE LOVE includes 25 extraordinary tracks which are unique enough to separate themselves from the pack, but still are accessible. Included are ESC recording artists: LAURENCE ELDER, DEBBIE DEANE, MIKE MILLER, JOE DE RENZO, LIQUID BLUE and MICHAEL WOLFF as well as well known musicians and great new talents. There are some veterans on this unique double CD: MITCHEL FORMAN, JOHN FREMGEN (with Mitch Watkins), JOEL FRAHM & BRAD MEHLDAU, LISA LAUREN & DAVID SANBORN, MARC JOHNSON, the great british singer IAN SHAW as well as great new and exciting talents like TRESA SAUER, SEAN WAYLAND, BEN DARWISH, JUDY WEXLER; 3& and ALEX DOMSCHOT. CD 1 starts with Mitchel Forman. Since gaining international recognition for his work with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra and then Wayne Shorter during the mid 80’s, Mitchel Forman has proven to be one of the elite jazz and fusion keyboard players in the world today. His ability to transform the sound of his keyboards into powerful emotional statements that transcend the music and reach deeply into our feelings, makes it natural to overlook his seemingly magical technical ability. “Here There & Everywhere” is presented in a way never heard before. Track 2 is “Imagine” – not a Beatles track – but it fits. Laurence Elder comes up with a beautiful new arrangement of this John Lennon classic. Elders fresh, inspired blend of jazz, pop, blues and rock, along with his \"triple threat\" talents as a singer-songwriter-pianist, truly set his music apart as an important new original sound. (3) John Fremgen’s version of “Dear Prudence” should confirm his place as one of today’s most interesting and versatile acoustic bass players. There is grace and eloquence, as well as a purity of sound and purpose. Conceptually, the players flow with and cut across Fremgen’s melodic grains. Mitch Watkins (guitar), Jeff Plankenhorn on dobro, John Mills / soprano sax, Jeff Helmer / Rhodes, Red Young / Hammond B-3 and Jeremy Brown / drums shape their statements around this beautiful composition. (4) Comparisons between her and Carol King and Joni Mitchell were drawn almost immediately and Debbie Deane deserves it ! “For No One” is another brilliant cover version from one of the greatest young singer/ songwriter talents of our time. Beyond these talents, she is also a wonderful musician and arranger. Debbie Deane is clearly his own “woman”. “I wanted to put a certain spin on this song where the meaning of the words really came through. I hope I succeeded” (Debbie Deane). (5) Joel Frahm and Brad Mehldau are two original voices in jazz with that rare capacity to stay true to the classic jazz approach teaming up together for another Beatles classic. Joel and high-school buddy Brad Mehldau came together for a beautiful duet. “Mother Nature’s Son” carries a bit of the folk, pop and rock feel that influence both musicians. Joel really demonstrates his solid tone and great control on the soprano saxophone on this tune, while Mehldau is playing in a sophisticated pop piano style. (6) Lisa Lauren\'s ability to combine her jazz background with her uniquely heartfelt lyrical deliveries on covers of classic pop tunes is exemplary. While many artists\' interpretations of classic tunes only hint at the original melodies, Lauren\'s interpretations not only preserve the original melodies but reveal even more of their hidden beauty. Her style is warm and earthy. Her reduced version of “The Word” features guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque (member of Garaj Mahal – winner of the 2006 Independent Music Awards “Best Album” for Blueberry Cave) and sax legend David Sanborn. (7) + (8) Mike Miller is a guitarist whose playing and writing elevates him into a stunning musical universe. While much is made of individuality and originality among musicians, Miller seems to embrace and yet go beyond those qualities: he is uniquely accomplished in the way he defies description. Consider that Miller has worked with artists that cover a wide variety of styles, such as jazz pianist Chick Corea, diva/comedienne Bette Midler, pop craftsmen Gino Vanelli and Burton Cummings, the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, british jazz-rock band Brand X, Wall of Voodoo´s Stan Ridgeway, film composer and former Devo front man Mark Mothersbaugh, the Frank Zappa Banned from Utopia alumni band, and many others. (9) For more than a decade, Minneapolis based vocalist Tresa Sauer has been infusing jazz and non-jazz standards with her singular sound. She\'s performed at nearly every Twin Cities jazz club alongside some of the best musicians around. Possessed of a voice that seems is naturally smoky and sultry, Tresa also makes things warm and fuzzy in a relaxed, jazzy way. Favoring nuance and tasteful restraint over showy flash, she is immediately intimate and fully present - a minimalist in full force, grounded by the power of a deep sensitivity. Some pianists are like sculptors or architects in the way they improvise. Australian Sean Wayland is more like a masseur, caressing or squeezing out the notes, and occasionally pummelling them. In New York he has studied with Barry Harris, Kevin Hayes , Geoff Keezer, George Colligan, Sam Yahel and Bruce Barth. Sean has worked for a number of internationally renowned musicians including : David Binney, Madeleine Peyroux, Ingrid Jensen, Cornell Dupree, Jesse Harris, Sheryl Bailey, etc.and is member of Stolen Van. \"All across the Universe\" is a simple reharmonisation of the Beatles classic, and this selection is one of his solo improvisations. (10) Joe DeRenzo\'s collaborations with pianist Tom Zink and guitarist Brian Hughes dates back to the early 80s when they made the LA club scene and toured western Canada playing the contemporary jazz of the day. Kevin Axt drives the bass intro for \"She\'s a Woman\" which gets a Ramsey Lewis type treatment with contributions from percussionist Richie Gajate-Garcia and saxophonist Glen Berger. \"I always dug this McCartney blues tune,\" writes Joe, \"along with Jeff Beck\'s version from Blow by Blow.\" Jazz pianist Pamela Hines has been on the national jazz scene since her debut recording with Bob Moses in 1998. She has been a guest on Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland. In 2005, she released a CD of all original vocal songs with April Hall. Hines has an eclectic, unpredictable melodic style that is supported by interesting harmonies and heartfelt approach. She received her Masters in Music from the New England Conservatory and was greatly influenced by the Lydian Concept, taught there by George Russell. CD 2 (1) Beyond eclectic, guitarist Vinnie Zummo is best known for his 7 years with Joe Jackson. His quirky solos and textures have made him in demand as a NYC session player for years and he has been featured on albums by Shawn Colvin, Roger Daltrey, Art Garfunkel, and more..His authentic mastery of multiple styles is astonishing. His jazz approach is languid, chopsy, and unique; his Beatle slide playing is pure George Harrison, and his Blues and Country playing is authentic down to the bone. Vinnie also plays drums, accordion, and chromatic harmonica. “Fab Gear” from Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America is a loving tribute to The Beatles right down to the faux intro lovingly created track by track to sound like chatter at a Beatles session. He plays all the instruments on the track. (2) CONNIE EVINGSON is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has appeared in clubs and concert halls across the U.S., in Europe and Japan, and has been a guest soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony conducted by Doc Severinsen, and the Vocalessence Music Series with Bobby McFerrin. Connie Evingson has a way of turning potential musical yawns into highly original and vibrant jazz workouts.... Evingson\'s phrasing and style is perfect... – Listen to the latin influenced “Wait”. (3) Carles Benavent and Jorge Pardo are two of the most important musicians in the New Flamenco / Jazz scene in Spain and can be heard with a very wide range of artists. While both musicians played with Paco De Lucia and Chick Corea, the legendary bass player Carles Benavent has played with Miles Davis, the Brecker Brothers, Michel Camilo, Paquito De Rivera, etc. Tino Di Geraldo on drums and percussion is another top musician who appeared on records with such artists as Nguyên Lê, Chano Dominguez, the JAZZPAÑA project, etc. Their “spanish” version of “Michelle” brings the mix of their inventive tradition and jazz to a whole new level. (4) Ian Shaw has long been regarded as the UK’s leading male jazz singer, capable of delivering interpretations of a wide variety of jazz-relates songs with a devastating emotional punch. And… Ian Shaw is his own man. He has made his own way in jazz singing. His musicians on the track are also top-notch, featuring Paul Stacey on guitar. On “Step Inside Love” Ian Shaw and his band are re-creating the beauty of this song. (5) Formed in October of 2005, the Ben Darwish Trio is a an acoustic piano trio. They play almost entirely original music with a wide range of influences, including jazz, hip-hop, rock, and latin. Led by pianist and composer, Ben Darwish, this group is climbing quickly in the music scene. Armed with a razor-sharp groove and an inquenchable taste for melody, the Ben Darwish trio is reinventing piano jazz one sold-out show after another. \"Hey Bulldog\" sounds like As if the Beatles collaborated with Thelonious Monk on Instrumental Jazz. (6) After the Steely Dan tribute – here comes another beautiful cover version from Liquid Blue – and what a great arrangement. The band has consistently shown themselves to be at the forefront of the pop-jazz live circuit and has a big fan base in Germany. Liquid blue is undoubtedly one of the very best live bands currently on the scene throughout Germany. (7) The versatile guitarist and composer from northern California, Wayne Brasel combines the best of jazz, blues, soul, and rock guitar with a post-bop approach to improvisation. The music he composes is an eclectic blend of styles and influences that often defies categorization. Wayne has recorded a number of cd’s of his own compositions and arrangements, among these “The Note You Left” featuring tenor saxophonist Rick Margitza , “The Beatnik Walk” with John Patitucci and Peter Erskine, “Popart” with Victor Jones and Wayne Darling and his solo guitar cd “ Songs from the Icons”. (8) What happens when a lover of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell gets a jazz education? The answer can be found in the music of Kathleen Grace. Her repertoire is often often compared to the work of Madeleine Peyroux and Bill Frisell; and her voice to the pure sound of a bell ringing. Arizona bred Kathleen Grace is one of the most interesting newcomers on the American scene With her band comprised of pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist Darek Oles and drummer James Tate, Grace kicks it up a notch with this beautiful cover version that amplify her genre-blurring dexterity. (9) Guitarist Alex Domschot’s sound, style, use of space, technique, and overall craft have earned him critical acclaim - and drawn comparisons with the likes of John Scofield, Allan Holdsworth and Bill Frisell. This “sonic shapeshifter” is a highly credentialed musician and composer with an educational resume and list of performing credits as long as his arm. His release, “Venusian Commute\", is at once a testimony to his exquisite musicianship and a statement of uncommon sensitivity in addressing contemporary jazz. The Seattle native and current New York resident is that rare breed of performing artist with no artistic compromise in his personality. Alex has continued to pursue that infinite musical growth that eludes all but the most dedicated few. (10) Judy Wexler, a jazz vocalist known for her warm voice and inventive approach, is a natural storyteller. Her debut CD, Easy on the Heart, was released in 2005 to critical acclaim, and was in the top 50 in national jazz radio airplay in the US for many weeks. Arranged by piano great, Alan Pasqua, it features an eclectic mix of standards, pop tunes, and lesser-known songs deserving greater recognition. Jazz Times Magazine says, \"Wexler emerges as one of the most focused, unpretentious, no-nonsense, bop-oriented jazz singers around.\" Also featured: Bob Sheppard, Steely Dan’s saxman. (11) The 3 of 3& (Tom Zink, Chris Wabich and Gannin Arnold) have played together (and separately) in the Los Angeles area for over 15 years in groups ranging from hard bop to R&B and Brazilian Jazz. Presented here, from their first recorded collaboration they are joined by Brian Bromberg and Jimmy Johnson on bass. “Because” has always been a harmonic favorite of mine” writes Zink. “It’s has a simplicity and open feel that allows it to be re-interpreted without losing the beauty of the original.” (12) The Gephart Long Quartet has been performing and recording jazz in the Chicago area since 1990. They are big fans of the music of the Beatles. Eleanor Rigby was recorded for their 3rd CD, Corners. It was the only song not written by co-leaders Gephart and Long. Gephart\'s arrangement of Eleanor Rigby stretches the time, plays with the harmony, yet honors the original song by Lennon and McCartney, which is elequently demonstrated in the string section. (13) Michael Wolff is one of the most innovative and dynamic pianists of his generation. His name deserves to be breathed in tandem with the likes of Brad Mehldau and Bill Charlap, though his style, which owes as much to Jerry Lee Lewis as it does to Art Tatum, is utterly unique. Together with an excellent ensemble (featuring Headhunters’ drummer Mike Clark, John B. Williams - formerly with Stan Getz- , Brad Dutz, ex- Scott Henderson’s Tribal Tech and former Miles Davis percussionist Badal Roy) Wolff moves effortlessly through an eclectic mix of John Lennon’s “Imagine” meets Miles Davis’ “Nefertiti”.