Upbeat and Sweet – Joe Bourne

Upbeat and Sweet – Joe Bourne

Label: Summit Records

Release date: Jan. 2017

Catalog number: 688

Tracks:

01 Magic Carpet Ride
02 With A Little Help from My Friends
comp: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
03 When I Need You
comp: Albert Hammond, Carole Bayer Sayer
04 Muskrat Love
comp: Willis Alan Ramsey
05 You've Made Me So Very Happy
comp: Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson, Berry Gordon
06 Heartache Tonight
comp: Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger, J.S. Souther
07 Jazzman
comp: Carole King
08 Just Like A Woman
comp: Bob Dylan
09 You've Got A Friend
comp: Carole King
10 Don't Stop
comp: Christine McVie
11 Baby, I Love Your Way
comp: Peter Frampton
12 Wonderful Tonight
comp: Eric Clapton

This collection of hit songs from the middle of the 20th Century is sure to tickle the nostalgic fancy of baby boomers. However, the jazz-infused arrangements and virtuosic instrumental solos will appeal to jazz and popular song fans of all ages.  Even as more jazz musicians are stretching the meaning of The Great American Songbook, to take hit ballads by one-name rockers like Sting, and Clapton and iconic bands like The Beatles, The Eagles and Steppenwolf and make them your own in a contemporary jazz context is not an easy feat. But Bourne accomplishes it with swinging, rocking and sometimes sambaing arrangements by bassist and producer Mike Levy

Bourne’s rock-solid delivery—no auto tuning here—harkens back to some of the great singers of the last century including Lou Rawls and Al Green, and Nat “King” Cole whom he celebrates on another recording. But he’s not channeling any other singer and or copying the original. What you hear on these 12 hit tunes, from the unlikely Captain and Tennille’s Muskrat Love, with a little muskrat scat, to the inevitable Jazzman closer by Carol King, is pure Joe Bourne supported by some of the best musicians in the West.

By: Yvonne Ervin, Executive Director, Jazz in January, Inc. and member of the Western Jazz Presenters Network


 


“…Featuring Jazz Drummer sensation, Lewis Nash, seasoned vocalist Joe Bourne and his warm voice turn pop and rock classics into jazz…!”