Jazz Journal
Reviewed: Deborah Silver – Basie Rocks!
by François van de Linde
Singer Deborah Silver goes for the big score. Basie Rocks, her collaboration with the Count Basie Orchestra led by Scotty Barnhart, recruits at least an equal amount of “stars” as the average Beyoncé album, boasting the presence of Kurt Elling, Peter Frampton, Trombone Shorty and George Coleman, among others.
Silver diligently works her way through the song book of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Sting and Elton John. The latter’s Benny And The Jets is a particularly strong example of the blend between Silver’s full-bodied voice and Scotty Barnhart’s excellent Count Basie Orchestra. It’s a neat arrangement full of playful secondary motives and call-and-response patterns. Zestful Silver, here, is on her own, teasing blue notes like a rowdy pupil calling the teacher’s bluff after the second warning.
Silver’s the star of the show – no small feat – though buoyant Arturo Sandoval on trumpet and classy Bill Frisell on guitar (the latter delivering a western-swing tinged solo gem on Steve Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle) threaten to steal it, adding to the charm of a quite enjoyable release.