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June 6, 2006
Media Alert: Jamie Davis It's A Good Thing
Unity Music 2517
Street Date: June 13, 2006
CD Review:
View the article here:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22038
It's A Good Thing
Jamie Davis | Unity
By Jim Santella
Vocalist Jamie Davis is a veteran of the Count Basie
Orchestra. So are several of the sidemen who appear
on this pleasant big band album. As they interpret
a dozen familiar songs, you can feel the memories
returning. Davis’ clear, resonant baritone voice
takes you out for a night on the town, and it leaves
you hoping that the evening will never end.
Surprisingly, It’s a Good Thing is only Davis’
second recording as a leader. It comes with a 38-minute
DVD that includes brief conversations with just about
everybody involved with the making of this album.
It's nice to hear from the sidemen, as well as this
relatively unheralded big band vocalist. He’s
been a fixture on the San Francisco jazz scene since
1975 and has circled the globe several times in the
name of good music. His unique talent is certainly
deserving of wider recognition.
With “Alright, Okay, You Win,” one can’t
help comparing Davis to Joe Williams. They share a
deep form of expression that goes right to the heart
of the matter. Both have a classy vocal posture that
makes each selection stand out, and both interpret
the blues with genuine feeling. Davis has what it
takes to carry on the tradition, and the band gives
him capable support. The singer’s interpretations
are enhanced by thrilling solo adventures from band
members, including Scotty Barnhart, Tony Suggs, Marshall
McDonald and Shelly Berg. They make a great team,
and Davis should consider touring with this lineup.
Track Listing: Isn’t She Lovely; Something;
I’ve Got the World on a String; Night and Day;
Besame Mucho; My Funny Valentine; Straight, No Chaser;
My Kinda Love; Another Star; Every Day I Have the
Blues; The Very Thought of You; Alright Okay, You
Win.
Personnel: Jamie Davis: vocals; John Kelson, Marshall
McDonald: alto saxophone; Scott Jepperson, William
Frenzel: tenor saxophone; Keith Bishop, Nancy Newman:
baritone saxophone; Scotty Barnhart, Chuck Findley,
Greg Adams, Robert Schaer, Michael Stever: trumpet;
David Klein, Paul Young, James Lutz, Phillip Larson:
trombone; Will Matthews: guitar; Shelly Berg: conductor,
piano; Tony Suggs: piano; James Leary III: acoustic
bass; Butch Miles: drums; Greg Errrico: claves, drums;
Karl Perazzo: bongos; Tony Menjivar: congas; Roger
Glenn: vibraphone, flute.
All material copyright © 2006 All About Jazz
and contributing writers. All rights reserved.
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