The Sultan says, "Ya Gotta Live It"
Dan Kassell | New York City | 02/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""doin' the do!" DAVID BERGER & The Sultans of Swing Such Sweet Thunder CD 1002"Ya Gotta Live It" The hit tune "Ya Gotta Live It", an original penned by David Berger "For Dancer's Only" Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra's tour throughout the country is a jewel in this newly proclaimed Sultan's hat. At almost 200 beats per minute it's filled with jump solos (reminiscent of Jimmy Lunceford from whom the title was derived) by that mustachioed gent Jerry Dodgion on alto, themercurial Joel Helleny's tough trombone, a freely blowing Dan Block, who evokes the memory of Barney Bigard, and it's all audibly supported by the big string bass sound of Dennis Irwin who keeps the beat danceable. The glue is Berger's tight jump style section parts and a muted trumpet interlude by Brian Pareschi that kicks the ensemble into high gear propelling these youthful men to swing. "Makin' Whoopie" is an apt expression for a Sultan, although David professes to dodge association with the costumed character that's portrayed with Harem girls on the CD cover, he certainly knows how to arrange music that captures that slow (105 beats) dance mood. Listen to "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" and "Exactly Like You" and enjoy the dance pulse of 156 beats of swing. Although Johnny Hodges wrote "Good Queen Bess" for his Mom, Jerry Dodgion plays the part with just the right feeling of swing. Two tunes of San Franciscan swing singer Lavay Smith - "Miss Thing" and "Busy Woman Blues" are covered by New York vocalist Aria Hendricks to show off David's hip writing and arranging plus Aria got to deliver her famous Dad Jon's "How To Get You Out Of My Heart" with her delightful determined but husky voice. By the time you get to the BONUS TRACK you'll be able to recognize the individual flavor of these exceptional soloists by name: Dan Block, Jay Brandford, Jerry Dodgion, Mark Hymes, Brian Pareschi, Dennis Irwin and Joel Helleny as they each play through David Berger's collection of "Panama/Happy Birthday/Stompy Jones" titled "Birthday Jam" for dancers to play on that occasion. If swing is your thing, don't miss this Sultan "doin' the do!" conducted by David Berger.Dan Kassell 1/28/01"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1