RICHIE VITALE'S "SHAKE IT" ON CD
Hold on, gentle listener! The boys wave the flag
early, with the opening notes of the title track, letting
all comers know that they have indeed come to play,
and to play hard. Throughout, one hears that this is
a band used to playing together, a group of eminently
skilled musicians, each with his own singular abilities
to be sure, yet committed to the common goal of swinging
together--and swing they do.
IN TRIBUTE TO ART FARMER AND CHET BAKER
I BELIEVE IN YOU Says Richie, "This is another
show tune, from "How to Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying" There's a real
bounce to this tune and it's
something I think Art Farmer would have recorded. He
was a big influence on my
fluegelhorn as well as trumpet playing and passed away
this year. This one's for
you, Art." On this cut, Richie shows his abilities
with the fluegelhorn, warm-toned
cousin to the trumpet, and does so with elan. Ralph
Lalama has been known for
years as soloist of monumental character. On this track
and, really, all others, he
plays with the muscularity of tone and rhythmic funkiness
that have made him for
years a favorite, in New York, and around the world.
More beautiful ensemble
writing and playing here.
BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH Oscar Levant's rueful look at
young love. There is a
well-known story of the young Frank Sinatra taking lessons
in breath control while
watching from his "boy singer's" chair onstage
behind trombonist Tommy Dorsey.
It is said that Sinatra studied and adapted to the voice
Dorsey's formidable breathing
technique. Richie here shows that he, too, can take
a lesson from a master, playing
the melody movingly, with the concentration of focus,
phrasing, and humanity we
associate with Sinatra himself, with whom Richie worked
over several years. Richie
says, "I really enjoy recording ballads. Chet Baker
sang "Blame it on My Youth"
beautifully! I found the verse to this one, and try
to make it special."
This year the new release of Richie's third CD can
be heard on TCB Records. Pete Malenverni says, of Richie's
new release Shake It!, "Throughout, one hears that
this is a band used to playing together, a group of
eminently skilled musicians, each with his own singular
abilities to be sure, yet committed to the common goal
of swinging together--and swing they do."
To Order By Mail:
Please send $15.00 plus $2.00 S&H (check or money
order) to:
VITALE on CD
400 West 43rd Street
Suite 8F
New York, NY 10036
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