That is another interesting realise from label’s VOCAL JAZZ… series. Over two years passed since Thorsten‘s last recording Love Comes to Town. The latest came out with the band shaved down to quartet. The drummer, Wolfgang Haffner remains present from the last squad.
For this reason that is completely different album. Without rock alike kick and funky and vivid brass section made on label mates. Also there is no vocal duets here. Overall concept is completely different and it refers to artist teenage days. All the Spiritual, Blues, Soul and Jazz he was listening to growing up and which therefore shaped him out as he is now. Hence the repertoire covers a lot, from traditional songs, via Lead Belly, Ray Charles and Oscar Brown like.
From an opening Work Song written by Adderley/Brown everything got a facelift here and comes to new life. That loses its repetitive pattern which makes it slow and tedious like a rhythm of hard tiring work. It is more like working today, long hours and hard sometimes, but due to the choice.
I found artist’s originals to be really interesting and much more involving. It was nice to trace where they possibly came from. Midst of your Love , for example has been build exactly on the same riff as Branford Marsalis‘ Mo’ Better Blues. However its vocal lines are showing a fascination of Gregory Potter , especially in the way he is phrasing. Lovely song.
Another original, Lord I need a Women, is very well written piece with funny lyrics and fantastic groove going under the bluesy lines. Lovely bass riff keeps it highly energised. Vocal here, again remains me Peter Cincotti. Particularly in the way he stays over the beat.
How sweet it is the famous Motown hit written by Dozien and Holland bros., comes surpassingly as a delta styled blues. That is far from Spiritual interpretation which Marvin Gaye made an unforgettable standard. But it bridges nicely with Ray Charles’ Halleluyah ,I love her So.
Lead Belly’s Where Did You Sleep Last Night, in opposite comes as a much focused interpretation, really going dark and deep, with surprising guitar accompaniment, far from blues original. If compared to Nirvana’s version from the 90’ties it somehow describes dynamics of the time just right.
Closing standard, Everything Must Change by Benard Ighner, is quite funny as this is the one on which Thorsten’s guitar reminds me most George Benson’s style, but song itself which he also sung ,is deeply rooted in Soul, when Goods’ approach is light and kind of pop-ish. However it really suits lyrics well in my opinion. Still love Nina Simons’ one most.
Lots of good things is going on here and again , just last his last recording was one of my favourite permanent car keepers , this one with its chilling and pleasant character has all the chances to win listeners hearts. Give it a go and it will surprise you how old, well known and often a bit forgotten, but great songs can win you over and over again.