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Eric Felten: Meets the Dek-Tette
ByPatterned after Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool sessions, Marty Paich's Dek-tette had a full sound that made the small group sound like a full orchestra. The same kind of musical arranging has gone into Felten's session, as he gets a big sound out of his stellar ensemble.
Felten sings 'em with a mellow nonchalance that recalls the Big Band Era. His musical partners follow with a confident stride that only veterans can muster. Jack Sheldon provides luscious trumpet solos, Herb Geller fills with amicable alto strides, Med Flory adds several standout solos, and Felten picks up the trombone for a few volatile forays. During the course of the program, the Dek-tette's rhythm tandem and Les Benedict's tuba color with a sparkling texture.
Without a piano, the ensemble offers a different point of view that relies on its remarkable orchestrations for its effect. Couple that with Felten's smooth baritone vocals and you have a winning performance.
Track Listing
You're Driving Me Crazy; Pick Yourself Up; I Hadn't Anyone Till You; I Could Write a Book; I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan; My Time of Day/I've Never Been in Love Before; Broadway; Gone with the Wind; I'll Be Around; It's All Right With Me; Where or When; I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry; This Can't Be Love.
Personnel
Eric Felten
tromboneEric Felten- vocals, trombone; Herb Geller- alto saxophone; Med Flory- tenor saxophone; Tom Peterson- baritone saxophone; Bob Findley, Jack Sheldon- trumpet; Bob Enevoldsen- valve trombone; Rick Todd- French horn; Les Benedict- tuba; Chuck Berghofer- bass; Gregg Field- drums.
Album information
Title: Meets the Dek-Tette | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: V.S.O.P. Records