Reviews by Rob Lester
THE COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA,
DIRECTED BY SCOTTY BARNHART
with DEBORAH SILVER
BASIE ROCKS!
Green Hill Productions
CD | Digital
Take some old-school rock hits, reinterpreted through old-school high-octane big band sensibilities. Stir in nostalgia, jazz flavorings, and spicy jazz, to taste. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Let cool. Top with whipped frenzy. That’s the recipe for the concoction called Basie Rocks! by the orchestra retaining the name of the iconic big band leader Count Basie (who died back in 1984) as the musicians soar, led by trumpeter Scotty Barnhart who cooked up the arrangements that let the band and guests rebrand classic songs. Vocalist Deborah Silver, game and gleeful, digs in with solos and three duets with starry partners. Talk about a BIG production: The 19 basic Basie players have two musicians added for the recording, and 11 other instrumentalists (each appearing on just one track) get notable spotlight, one of whom is also the producer–veteran drummer Steve Jordan, currently a touring member of The Rolling Stones. An item from that group’s ’60s output, “Paint It, Black,” opens the album with a sizzling Latin beat, setting up an expectation for the unexpected.
It’s a party! The re-casting might be the best of two worlds for some pop fans: non-sentimental nostalgia that sounds new and different. Leader Barnhart shares arrangement duties with three others: Kris Johnson, Andy Farber, and John Clayton. Mr. Clayton and producer Jordan step in as bassist and drummer on “Tainted Love.” It’s one of the duets, and the oldie is elevated by the participation of the masterful, versatile jazz singer Kurt Elling, already known for daringly taking on challenges in exploring numerous genres, as chameleon.
Five trombonists are in the brassy group and the other two vocal duet partners are also trombonists. Trombone Shorty, peppy Miss Silver, and background vocalists share singing duties on “Joy to the World” (the 1971 pop hit, not the Christmas perennial, although her collaboration with the Basie band last year was for a three-track EP of holiday treats). This selection is especially loose and fun, mixing in phrases in numerous languages similar in meaning to “joy to the world,” including “hakuna matata,” briefly recalling The Lion King. Trombonist Wycliffe Jordon both playing trombone and singing in his gutsy voice with sassy Silver, the ode to “Old Time Rock & Roll” at least equally evokes old time jazz; another guest player, Herlin Riley, multi-tasks on washboard, tambourine, and snare drum.
The female vocalist’s earlier releases include albums of standards and a country-themed set and, to my ears, keeps improving, but some flash and brash qualities still linger. She is competent and energized, with a big voice, but it’s still a tall order to follow in the footsteps of giants (the original artists, the mega-hits, the big-name big band). Determined not to be a sound-alike copycat on Basie Rocks! lets this entertainer’s approach win points for charging ahead with a challenge and making it a comfort zone. She’s feisty.
The CD comes with a booklet that includes photos of the recording sessions. A page naming those who deserve thanks (and for what) is penned by songstress Silver; another four pages were written by the bandleader detailing descriptions of the approaches to the material, with historical facts, as well as heavy praise for the participants. In a mention of the work of arranger John Clayton on “Baby, I Love Your Way,” he tells us that when its writer and initial performer, Peter Frampton, heard their treatment, he was thrilled and came aboard to do the guitar solo himself. This interpretation is his favorite of the many covers.