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Event #145: RENAISSANCE SET 
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BIG BAND CHRISTMAS -- Rob McConnell wears a Santa suit for the cover of his new Concord release featuring his 20-member Boss Brass. He looks quite jolly, and the album is a superb collection of holiday songs both traditional and popular. McConnell's 20-piece band does smashing work on such winners as "Silver Bells," "White Christmas" and Mel Torme's gorgeous "The Christmas Song." McConnell's arrangements are stirring jazz-flavored charts that offer ample latitude for soloing. The standout of the album is a delightful reading of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, "My Favorite Things." A great album!
WHITE CHRISTMAS -- Rosemary Clooney's "White Christmas" album came out two years ago, but I'm sure you'll be able to find copies in most larger record stores. The 21 tracks include all the usual suspects. As on her other many Concord releases, Rosemary sounds in fine form. She receives assistance from Michael Feinstein and her little brother, Nick Clooney, who joins his sis on "Don't Wait Till the Night Before Christmas." An excellent release from the greatest living female singer.
THE BEST THING FOR ME -- Pianist Ben Aronov worked with the original Lighthouse All Stars, a storied band on the West Coast featuring such names as Frank Rosolino, Bob Cooper, and Conte Candoli. He played with the Terry Gibbs Band and was accompanist to singer June Christy. Aronov's new trio album from Arbors Records finds the pianist in stellar form, with a sparkling collection of jazz and pop standards, such as "It's All Right with Me" and a lovely reading of "A House Is Not a Home." Outstanding work from a talent deserving wider recognition.
JACK JONES PAINTS A TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNETT -- It's a long title for what perhaps is the best vocal album of 1998. Since receiving my copy of this marvelous collection some weeks ago, it's been a constant companion as I work in my office. Jones has never achieved the massive stardom that he deserved. He's best known for the sappy theme song to the old TV series, "The Love Boat." But Jones has been one of the best singers of his generation, and he proves it in no uncertain terms with this album on the independent label called Honest. Backed by a superlative trio, Jones essays classic songs such as "Skylark," "Rags to Riches," and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." The magnificent Tony Bennett couldn't have received a higher compliment that this tribute album by a great singer. A must acquisition if you love good music.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE -- More than a quarter century has passed since the original release of Wendy Carlos's album of electronic music from the Stanley Kubrick film, "A Clockwork Orange." The score, which used selections from classical gems by Beethoven, has been remastered and restored to new clarity in this ambitious production from ESD Records. Though not for every taste (and soundtrack albums sometimes don't work away from the film they supported), this is an interesting reissue, for the first time on compact disc. For fans of the film and perhaps others, too.
DANCING TRIBE -- If you're looking for something different, consider this album from Nazca Music. It features two performers, Marco and Somesh, doing compositions that range across musical genres, from world to meditative, tribal to samba. It's suitable for quiet winter evenings before a roaring fireplace, or contemplative evenings with a good book and a strong drink. Worth investigating.
WHEN I SEE WINTER RETURN -- Here's an album perfect for the season. William Pint and Felicia Dale combine their voices in a tribute to the turning of the season. These winter songs include rarely heard Christmas songs, a 13th century French composition, and several songs ringing in the New Year. Instrumentation includes a hurdy-gurdy, guitar, octave mandolin, whistle, and Irish drum. Highlights include the beautiful "January Man" and a great arrangement of "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day." Great listening on this one.
TO ELLA -- Folk singer Odetta has been around for decades, always to be counted upon for great performances of a wide range of folk and world music. Her new album on the Silverwolf label is something of a departure for this fabled performer, a live performance from the 1996 Kerrville Folk Festival. Time has not diminished the strength of this legendary voice. Highlight of the album is a 27-minute medley of such tunes as "900 Miles," "Another Man Done Gone," and "Shenadoah." If you're not familiar with the marvels of Odetta, buy this CD and give it to yourself.
THE SILENT JAZZ ENSEMBLE -- This five-man group from Berlin has been together since 1987 and toured extensively in Eastern European even before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Their music, released on Biber Records, isn't what I would term jazz, but it's close enough, a bit classical at times, and always listenable. These fellows don't get rambunctious, but they sound quite serious about their contribution to the world of music. Interesting material, well played.
NEXT -- Kate McDonnell must be heard. Here's a young lady with a powerful and passionate voice and an impressive talent as a songwriter. This new album on the Waterbug Records label, contains a baker's dozen of wonderful songs, recorded live in the studio with a superb backing band. The result is one dazzling collection. I love the lyrics from "If I Knew," which begin, "If I knew that life was short/As the blossom of a flower/I would guard it from the wind/And protect it with all my power . . ." Great music, beautifully sung.
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Record companies may contact Bob Powers by e-mail at rpowers@ee.net for information on sending albums for review. "Powerssound" is a weekly feature of G21.
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