 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
NASHVILLE SCENE Review
Organic Compound Organist Moe Denham, a longtime soul, jazz, and blues stalwart, recently returned to Nashville after spending the past few years on the road. He's been making a number of local appearances recently. A blistering, funky instrumental soloist, Denham is also a solid vocalist. He shines at both on his current CD, Little Blue Volkswagon. The 11 selections include such standard items as "Over the Rainbow" and "Honeysuckle Rose," but Denham also covers potent rhythm tunes like "Bugs Boogie" and "Rapid Shave." His solos reflect the approach of players like Jimmy McGriff and Charles Earland, who place more emphasis on backbeats and grooves than on swirling lines and flashy statements. The disc was produced by Joey DeFrancesco, another fine organist, who matches grooves with Denham on the title cut. On every other selection, Denham ably handles organ duties on his own; he also plays piano, synthesizers, and keyboard bass. Denham labels his music "blazz," since it contains equal amounts of blues feeling and jazz sensibility. Anyone who loves gritty funk and expansive organ licks should enjoy Little Blue Volkswagon. — Ron Wynn |
|
|
