Live At The Rendezvous
R. H. Stephen | Colorado | 03/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD reminds me of Kenny Burrell's LOTUS BLOSSOM. It is not background music; it is music to be savored. I first heard Gerry at the 1996 Benedetto Players concert. You gotta know your stuff to hang with Jack Wilkins and Jimmy Bruno. Gerry knows his stuff. You will not find better chord-melody stuff played anywhere. TAKE THE A TRAIN proves that. The intro hints at the melody, and the bossa nova rhythm is refreshing; a standard with it's own identity. BLUE BENEDETTO is classic "smokey jazz club blues." It's like you are there, minus the cigarette smoke. Everyone is a standout here: Don Saviano's electric fretless bass work (cool bass you can HEAR!) along with Grover Mooney's creative drumming. OUT OF NOWHERE swings! followed by an expressive I CAN'T GET STARTED,and another surprise: an uptempo, driving AUTUMN LEAVES.Love that bass! GONZO MEETS THE GROOVE (one of four Beaudoin originals) once again gives Saviano and Mooney a lot of space. Cool jazz defined! Next: a touching BODY AND SOUL. HERE'S THAT RAINY DAY could be retitled "How To Play Great Solo Guitar." Gerry makes it sound easy. It isn't. The CD wraps up with more blues-inspired swing with Gerry's AZZURE MINEUR and an uptempo burner, SONG FOR T.W.B. which leaves you wanting more! It's a CD that makes you want to hear Gerry in person. Savor this one!"
Live at the Rendezvous
Paul Speidel | Boston | 02/26/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was there the night they recorded this CD, and they definitely captured the energetic interplay between Gerry and his former rhythm section. There is a lot of attitude between Grover and Don on this record, but it doesn't detract from Gerry's consistently clean tone and chord-melody mastery. In particular, check out "Here's that Rainy Day". Gerry's in his element with the trio format, and this is no exception."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1