I know that I will never catch up
to the influx of albums that have been arriving lately. Frankly, I Kind of like
it that way as there is always something new to explore, some artist to
discover, and to see what some of my favorite artists are up to.
When my friends at The Tin Pan, in
Richmond’s lovely West End called to tell me that they had a concert coming up
with Bruce Katz and his band, I was delighted. Katz is an amazing keyboardist
of the highest order and his work on the B-3 is not to be believed. He had been
in town a few months ago, but I was tied up with some function or other and
couldn’t make it.
We made arrangements for his
latest album, HOMECOMING, to be sent
to me and even though it’s a 2014 release, I wanted to be sure to talk about it
prior to Katz arriving in town.
I don’t have much of Katz’
previous work, but what I’ve heard impresses me very much. He loves to
incorporate other genres into his music, primarily jazz, and it gives his work
a certain flavor and definitely a unique sound.
The musicians include Katz on
Hammond B-3, piano, and vintage Vibe electric piano; Chris Vitarello on guitars
and vocals on The Sky’s The Limit;
and Ralph Rosen on drums. The trio is joined by guest artists John Hammond on
guitar and vocals; Jimmy Bennett on guitar, lap steel guitar, and vocals; Randy
Ciarlante on drums and vocals; Marty Ballou on acoustic bass; and Peter Bennett
on electric bass.
Katz wrote or co-wrote seven of
the songs on the album along with selections from band members Randy Ciarlante,
Jimmy Bennett, and Chris Vitarello. He pulls others from the likes of Lightnin’
Hopkins, Elmore James and Leroy Carr. With writers like these, you know he’s
got a fighting chance at a great album.
Starting off with the title track,
Homecoming, Katz establishes a groove
that allows for some interplay between guitars and keys. You can tell right
away that the album is going to have some jazz overtones, and while some
purists might not like it, he’s pushing boundaries and making good music.
Next up is King Of Decatur with Ciarlante handling the vocals. It’s got a
strong funk flavor and the kind of song that should be a real crowd pleaser
when performed live. The break is a lot of fun with Katz tearing up the piano.
Lightnin’ Hopkins’ Santa Fe Blues gets the Katz and Co.
treatment. This time John Hammond and Marty Ballou take the vocals. The piano
is pure honkytonk, the kind that just makes you sit up. This is great old
school style blues that will make anyone happy.
No Brainer is a collaboration between Vitarello and Katz. It’s an
instrumental that allows the band to find new ways of expressing themselves
musically. The interplay between Vitarello’s guitar and Katz’ B-3 is solid and
it’s obvious that these two are having a lot of fun laying down this track.
The next song, Amelia, starts off with a great piano
lead and that helps to keep the song in a lighthearted vein. It’s a fun song
that might not be for everyone as it is jazzy and at six minutes for an
instrumental, some attention spans may lag. If they do, they should be
listening to something else, because Katz finds way of putting subtle touches
into his runs as if they are waiting to be discovered after several listenings.
Next is the Elmore James tune, Wild About You Baby, which gives Jimmy
Bennett a chance to shine on guitar and vocals. They even recorded it so that
the song sounds vintage (in a good way, not with scratches and pops), and the
piano complements the guitar nicely. One of my favorites on the album.
Another Katz original, The Czar, is next. He’s working the
organ pretty hard, and he and Jimmy Bennett create a darker mood. It’s one of
those late night jam feels when the band is winding down but still playing.
There’s no singer to take over the song and whatever the band feels is what
they play.
The Leroy Carr classic, Blues Before Sunrise, is next and Katz
gives it that old school feel and John Hammond’s vocals are spot on. This
version could stand up with any previous covers of the song and will appease
even the staunchest of critics.
Time Flies is another Katz original and it has a funky jazz feel
right off the bat. Vitarello gets quite a workout and his guitar is outstanding
on this number.
Speaking of Vitarello, he wrote
and provides the vocals for The Sky’s The
Limit, a fun number that gives him a chance to croon a little. The song
gives you the feel of a guy in a suit just hanging behind the microphone and
giving the band a chance to jam out a little on the breaks. Great song.
Time to get nice and funky with Just An Expression, a hard driving
number that makes you want to get up and move. Katz wrote the song, but Rosen
arranged it and I’m sure he added a lot to the strong rhythm and back beat.
This is the kind of song you know will get a great response when you get a
chance to catch the group live.
Katz’ keys gives Won’t Last Till Tuesday almost a film
noir feeling at first then transitions into a more jazzy feel. There’s
something menacing about the song and yet enticing as it brings us into a different,
dark world. It’s the last of the Katz’ compositions on the album.
The album concludes with It’s A Bad Time, penned and sung by
Jimmy Bennett. It’s more of a non- traditional blues tune that evokes some of
the messages of older numbers while exploring new ways of presenting the song.
For more information about Katz
and his going-ons, be sure to check out his website http://brucekatzband.com/BK/home_news.html.
But make sure you get your reservations in early at the Tin Pan for what is
sure to be a great show at http://www.tinpanrva.com/.
While you’re there be sure to check out some of their other great shows coming
up.
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