Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - Over the course of 150 "Powerssound" columns since this little exercise in music reviewing launched more than three years ago, I have tried to be fair in my assessments of new albums. For the most part, I have met my goal. There have been moments when I went for the cheap shot when saying nothing would have been the best choice. To those musicians who were slammed when I should have simply ignored their work, my apologies.

Over the next 150 columns, I will do my best to provide accurate accounts of music newly offered to the public, especially those who share my love for jazz in all its many colors. But I've never tried to restrict the column to appealing only to jazz hounds. If you're one of those rare readers whose tastes include jazz, but also bend enough to see the good in the popular music (especially of the '30s through the '60s), blues, bluegrass, traditional and folk varieties, I hope my own catholic (with the small c) tastes travel on the same rails as yours.

Any columnist, especially on the Internet, realizes that he or she can reach readers on other continents, not just in the U.S. One thing that's disappointed me during this period of my life is the infrequency of comments from "average" readers. Sure, I hear from executives of record companies and snippets from my reviews occasionally show up on fancy Web sites. But I'd like to hear more often from Mr. or Ms. Average Music Fan.

Suggestions will be warmly welcomed. Nasty comments will be read and, if deserved, will be acknowledged. This ain't no damned rocket science I'm producing in my home office. It's a labor of love that I would do for free. However, free CDs ain't bad.

Haggart's Birthday Bash

Bob Haggart was acclaimed by many fans as the best bass player to emerge from traditional jazz. His work was always wrapped in perfection and his fans couldn't hide their smiles when Haggart was performing at his zenith.

Two recent albums from the wonderful Arbors Records label were recorded during Haggart's 80th birthday party, which went on for three days in March, 1994. Haggart no longer lives on earth, but Heaven must be a better place with the presence of this superb musician.

Many of the great names of jazz appear in "The All Stars: At Bob Haggart's 80th Birthday Party." It's a two-CD set and contains some spectacular music by a gang of great jazzmen. The album includes such whiz bangs as Ruby Braff, Joe Wilder, Dan Barrett, George Masso, Ken Peplowski, Flip Phillips, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Jake Hanna.

The choices of music ranges across the decades, including such gems as "Oh, Lady Be Good!," "It Had to Be You," "Blue Turning Grey Over You," and "Yesterdays." Such jazz classics as "The Mooche" and "Lullaby of Birdland" are heard, along with "Air Mail Special" and "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home."

While in the CD department picking up a copy of that great album, you might want to reach deeper into your pocketbook and reward yourself with "The Piano Giants at Bob Haggart's 80th Birthday Party." Three of the best piano doodlers you could imagine are present and in fine form. Alphabetically, the trio consists of Dick Hyman, Derek Smith, and Ralph Sutton.

The program contains a range of memorable songs, performed with zest by these special musicians. Their choice of music covers all parts of the jazz realm. Dan Morgenstern's excellent notes make listening ever more entertaining. Perhaps best of all is the fact that all proceeds from both albums are being donated to the Bob and Windy Haggart Scholarship Fund at the University of Miami, Florida.

'Bones Together

The sound of two trombones playing together can be magical. Jazz lovers remember with wide smiles the great jazz put together by trombone geniuses J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. Now there's a new duo, which seems ready to make their mark in the jazz world.

"Head to Head" (Arbors Records) combines the special talents of John Allred and Wycliffe Gordon in a package that never sounds less than wonderful. There's good advice from Matt Schudel, a Florida newspaper's jazz writer, who advises listening to the CD immediately after hearing its charms the first time around. "It's about playing from the heart," Schudel writes, "playing with real feeling. You can't teach someone to play with soul."

The song choices seem perfect for the two-trombone format. The album opens with "It's All Right with Me," and moves smoothly into "The Preacher," followed by a great version of "West End Blues." There's a lovely medley of "Sophisticated Lady" and "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good."

Mallets Galore

When Chuck Redd was a youngster growing up in Maryland, he aspired to becoming a jazz drummer. When he was 18, pianist/arranger Bill Potts invited him to go to New York. The first night in the Big Apple, Redd was invited to sit in with the Al Cohn Band at the Half Note nightclub. There never was a question that Redd would become a jazzman.

Redd worked as a drummer for several popular jazz bands, including 18 years with the Charlie Byrd Trio. While working with Red Norvo, Redd received lessons on the vibes from his boss, which eventually led to Redd concentrating on the vibes.

Redd has his favorites on vibes, including Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson and Gary Burton. Pretty good choices.

Redd's mastery of the instrument can be heard in the excellent new release," All This and Heaven, Too" (Arbors). Working with guitarist Gene Bartoncini and bassist George Mraz, Redd shows that he's now one of the best in jazz. The combination of vibes, guitar and bass is magical, plus Ken Peplowski performs on four tracks, either clarinet or tenor sax.

Redd has a light touch that turns the vibes into an instrument played with grace and charm. He's particularly charming in his arrangements of "More Than You Know" and "I Know Why (and So Do You)."

I followed the advice to replay the album immediately. I suspect you will, too.

Mystery Discs

The mailman last week brought a small package from the Netherlands containing two CD's, one called "Thai Session" by Pep242 and the other labeled "Pepi's at Home." No publicity material accompanied the discs, nor was their a mail return address on the sleeves.

I recall an e-mail weeks ago from someone who offered to send music for review. I deleted the original e-mail. If he would e-mail me with further information, I definitely would review the albums. Both consist of dance material, professionally performed.

My e-mail: rpow123@charter.net

Thank you.

Bob Powers always is interested in hearing from record distributors who deal in jazz, rock, folk, and anything that's good. For instructions on getting your album reviewed, contact him at rpow123@charter.net.

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