Carolyn Lee Jones Close Your Eyes

Carolyn Lee Jones
Close Your Eyes
Catn'round Sound

"Close Your Eyes" is the fourth album by the Dallas based chanteuse, Carolyn Lee Jones. She is backed by a variety of musicians, notably three associates who also contributed the arrangements here: Brad Williams on a variety of keyboards; Sergio Pamies on piano; and Dave Pierce on trombone. The program of what Ms. Jones describes as "songs … about the many faces of love."

 "Close Your Eyes," backed by the bubbly piano trio of Williams on piano, Jonathan Fisher on the upright bass and Andrew Griffith on drums, Jones enchants us with her honey-toned, sultry voice, her immaculate intonation and her swinging, delivery of the lyrics. This enchantment continues through the varied program with the soft, feathery opening on "No Moon At Night" with Fisher's steady bass, Griffith's graceful use of brushes and Williams deft, understated accompaniment and solo. Then there is a lovely rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You," where pianist Pamies leads a group that includes the flute of Daniel Pardo and guitar of Pepe Valdez to frame her enticing vocal. Pierce provided an original big, little band, arrangement of "That Old Black Magic," with a light funky groove as well as take a slightly rowdy trombone solo along with her wonderfully sung vocal.

Jones delivers a captivating rendition of the Frankie Valli hit, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," with a bossa nova flavored backing, Pardo's lovely flute and a nifty solo from Pamies. It is followed by the swinging "When I Found You." Initially recorded by Peggy Lee, Jones makes this joyous celebration of love her own. Among the other outstanding performances is the hauntingly beautiful performance of "I Only Have Eyes For You," backed just by Williams on piano and synthesizer and Jeff Plant on electric bass. It is an exquisite closing track of an outstanding album by a superb jazz vocalist.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 387). Here is a video of Carolyn Lee Jones performing.

Gus Spenos It's Lovin' I Guarantee

Gus Spenos
It's Lovin' I Guarantee
Self-Produced

Gus Spenos is a sax-playing bluesman who plays and sings in the vein of the great blues shouters while also being a top neurologist in Indianapolis. This is his latest recording and he recorded it in Hoboken with a terrific big band that includes Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and Cecil Brooks III on drums. The rest of the rhythm section also includes Brandon McCune on keyboards and Brad Williams on guitar. Others present include Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Bruce Williams on alto sax, and Jason Marshall on baritone sax. These gentleman along with Gordon, McCune and Williams are heard on solos throughout.

Spenos and his collaborator, Collin DeJoseph, wrote 4 originals and there are 9 covers here. DeJoseph who also played piano did the arrangements. This is solid jump blues that is wonderfully played with plenty of hot horn solos and tight rocking grooves. The originals such as the title track and "Every Tic's Got a Toc," are solid originals in the jump blues tradition while songs covered are not songs that have been covered to death.

Spenos is an adequate, if at times awkward sounding, singer who does invest a lot of spirit in his vocals although he is overshadowed by his inspirations. A the same time, the horns and band are wonderful with Gordon contributing some terrific growling trombone on Jimmy Rushing "Fool's Blues," where the leader takes a one of several terrific booting tenor sax solos here. Guitarist Williams takes a fleet solo on TNT Tribble's "She Walks Right In," followed by Hendrix's blistering trumpet. On Eddie Boyd's "Hush Baby Don't You Cry," Jason Marshall's burly baritone sax is followed by Gordon's gutbucket play while McCune lays down some hot buttered fried soul on the B-3.

Brad Williams opens "Livin' is a Cry" when some T-Bone Walker styled chords and then chords under Spenos tough tenor sax opening on a solid slow original with Gordon's growling obligatos adding plenty to the feel of this performance and is followed by Buddy Johnson's "Lil Dog," a wonderful instrumental that showcases Spenos tenor sax as well as Gordon's gutbucket trombone, Bruce Williams alto sax and Hendrix's sizzling trumpet. Another solid number here is Eddie Mack's "King Loving Daddy." It is a nice jump blues by a lesser known shouter.

The only reservation about this recording is that Spenos is not a compelling singer. However, the excellence of the musical performances here may merit attention from fans of jump blues and classic rhythm'n'blues.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the May-June 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 378) although I have made a few minor changes.