Search - Dan Fogel :: 15 West

Swinging, big-time Hammond B-3 sounds, recorded live

M. Bromberg | Atlanta, GA United States | 12/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a fan of jazz organ and Jimmy McGriff's swinging sounds, you'll find a lot to like here.



This live recording (the entire session was recorded with no overdubs, over three days in a 19th century church) is filled with real excitement. The romper-stomper "Broadway," like the title implies, is a showy burst of feel-good riffing. Listen to the subtle color Fogel brings to the solo on the ballad "I Thought About You" -- it's soulful, and swinging too. As the liner notes by Nat Hentoff explain, this is music that will lift your spirits, "even if you think you don't know how to dance."



The ensemble arrangements are clean and uncluttered; "A Night in Tunesia" breaks into a series of cool, down-tempo solos after Fogel's opening chords and Pete Chavez's tenor states the melody. O'Donel Levy (a Groove Merchant Records veteran) gets to showcase his considerable talents on Kenny Burrell's "Blues After All," and really adds a light touch to Fogel's original "15 West." The beautiful ballad "Willow Weep for Me" is a ten-minute excursion into deep and bluesy grooves that allows plenty of room to move. It's a knockout.



Most of the album's nine tunes are upbeat romps, though, with everyone taking a swing including drummer Webb Thomas. This is out of print currently, but worth tracking down -- "15 West" is big fun. Grab it while you can."