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Terry Gibbs Legacy Band: The Terry Gibbs Songbook
ByWhile the vibraphonist was no longer able to play the instrument, as his son says, "his musical mind is as sharp as it always has been," which enabled him to choose 15 of his songs, pen a lyric or two and arrange the music. The album is in essence a vocal jazz project as Gibbs intended but was unsure of who the vocalist would be. In a welcome surprise, Neal Weiss, owner of the Whaling City Sound label, suggested young singer Danny Bacher, who fit the bill to the tee.
Having an outstanding reed section to work with, the challenge became how to feature each player by giving them proper solo space on each track. The Brazilian flavored opener, "Let's Go To Rio," features Ranier on the first solo with Allen and Hamilton on two choruses of eight bars each. The following "Those Eyes, Those Lips, That Nose, That Face, That Girl," has Allen and Hamilton supporting Bacher on vocals.
One beautiful ballad played to the heart is the gorgeous "I Was Loved," with Hamilton doing the love solos all by himself as the vocalist displays his warmth and soul, letting it all hang out. The tempo changes dramatically on the perky "Now's The Time To Groove," a lively swinging number that has the shoulders moving and the fingers snapping. This is the only piece that features Terry Gibbs on vocals, trading words with Bacher on a cheery, playful piece of music.
There are other memorable songs on this session and one for sure is the melodic "The House That Might Have Been," featuring Hamilton again on some delicious solo moments. Allen takes center stage on the slow ballad of "Nina." The boisterous and swinging "I Can Hardly Wait for Saturday Night" has Allen and Hamilton featured on multiple four-bar solos in one of the gyrating pieces of the session.
Two of the outstanding tunes of the album are "And That's Why They Call It The Blues," and the swinging "Stay With Me Tonight" which features solos from Ranier, Allen and Hamilton. The Terry Gibbs Songbook is the perfect Swan Song, a final musical gesture from an unforgettable jazz legend whose music will surely live on.
Track Listing
Let's Go to Rio; Those Eyes, Those Lips, That Nose, That Face, That Girl; I was Loved; Now's The Time To Groove; The House That Might Have Been; Nina; I can Hardly Wait For Saturday Night; If I Were You; Play and Sing; Lonely Days; And That's Why They Call It The Blues; Say Goodbye; Stay With Me Tonight; If I Knew Then; Sweet Young Song of Love.
Personnel
Gerry Gibbs
drumsScott Hamilton
saxophone, tenorHarry Allen
saxophoneTom Ranier
pianoDanny Bacher
vocalsMike Gurrola
bassAlbum information
Title: The Terry Gibbs Songbook | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound
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