Alton Merrell - Withholding Nothing (2023) [Hi-Res]

Withholding Nothing represents a personal and spiritual journey of surrender and simultaneously showing up in life as your authentic self, something important to artist Alton Merrell. Through dynamic performances at the piano and a world-class band, Merrell takes listeners on a spirit–filled musical excursion while sharing his poignant message of how blessing comes through surrender and encourages listeners to surrender by Withholding Nothing.

On the Grammy Award winning MCG Jazz record label, Merrell’s new album offers several original compositions along with new arrangements of well-known hymns in a unique blend of lyrical melodies, rich harmonies and fluid technique that spans multiple music genres – including jazz, gospel, classical, and rhythm and blues. With nods to jazz luminaries like McCoy Tyner, Fats Waller, and the jazz fusion work of Herbie Hancock, a few of Merrell’s original tunes “Alfred Blues,” “Main Street Rag,” “Expectations,” display a complex harmonic vocabulary, syncopated rhythms, blues infused melodies and a jazz fusion sound sure to leave the listener wanting more. Through Merrell’s new jazz arrangements of “Amazing Grace,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “I Love You Lord,” listeners get a reimagined experience of these well-known hymns. The title track, “Withholding Nothing,” was written by William McDowell and arranged by Merrell. Significant to Merrell, this song got him through a difficult time in his life; he interprets this experience in a lyrical, moving arrangement that sonically represents surrender. The album features renowned artists Jeff Bush, Zanetta Wingfield Butler, Chris Coles, Anton DeFade, James Johnson III, Jason Kush, James Moore, Denzel Chismar-Oliver, John Shannon, Paul Thompson and Thomas Wendt. Merrell’s new album is a spirit-filled jazz musical excursion that deeply touches the soul.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Alton Merrell - Amazing Grace (6:30)
1.02 - Alton Merrell - Alfred’s Blues (6:08)
1.03 - Alton Merrell - Withholding Nothing (5:48)
1.04 - Alton Merrell - Beautiful Love (4:29)
1.05 - Alton Merrell - Main Street Rag (2:54)
1.06 - Alton Merrell - Expectations (6:36)
1.07 - Alton Merrell - Swingatism (5:46)
1.08 - Alton Merrell - Great Is Thy Faithfulness (2:52)
1.09 - Alton Merrell - The Rapture (8:22)
1.10 - Alton Merrell - I Love You Lord (4:17)
1.11 - Alton Merrell - Selah (5:47)