Joey DeFrancesco – Trip Mode – High Note

by | Jan 19, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Joey DeFrancesco – Trip Mode – High Note HCD 7281, 58:38 ****:

(Joey DeFrancesco – organ, piano, keyboards, trumpet, vocal (#7); Dan Wilson – guitar; Mike Boone – bass; Jason Brown – drums)

To say that Joey DeFrancesco is prolific is an understatement. Growing up in a musical family (his father Papa John DeFrancesco, a noted Hammond B-3 artist), Joey has been on the scene since he was a young child. He has played with Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, Bobby Hutcherson, and Jimmy Smith. He has over forty recordings as a leader, and yet he is not quite 45 years old.

Joey could easily rest on his laurels as the leading living Hammond B-3 artist, but he continues to develop as a trumpeter, and can more than hold his own on piano and keyboards. On his new release on High Note, Joey covers a wide range of ground with his new band consisting of younger members Dan Wilson on guitar and Jason Brown on drums. On four tracks veteran bassist Mike Boone is added.

The title track is vintage Joey, fingers flying. “Arizona Sunrise” has Joey doubling on piano and trumpet. His tone on the horn is warm and fluid, well-rounded with a burnished finish. It’s a gorgeous ballad. “In That Order” is a feature for Dan Wilson and he shows some serious chops making a powerful partner for Joey.

“Cuz U No” is prime night club material for the Hammond and blues guitar combo that we all love so much. It’s back to piano and trumpet again on a sumptuous “On Georgian Bay.” Muted trumpet and Joey’s tender vocal caress “The Touch of Your Lips.”

Joey is a master of bringing the funk and the two closing tracks, “Traffic Jam” and “What’s Your Organ Player’s Name?”(Reportedly Miles Davis asked this after hearing Joey playing organ in his high school band)-both have it in spades. This is another winning release for Joey D. His fans will find lots to like here.

TrackList: Trip Mode, Who Shot John, Arizona Sunrise, In That Order, Cuz U No, On Georgian Bay, The Touch of Your Lips, Traffic Jam, What’s Your Organ Players Name?

—Jeff Krow

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