Honoring the birth centenary of Oscar Brown, Jr- Vocalist, Amber Weekes shows the love…
To Oscar With Love – Amber Weekes – Amber Inn Records – CD – 52:50 – ****
(Amber Weekes – vocals; with special guests Paul Jackson, Jr – guitar; Mark Cargill – violin; Tony Campdonico – piano; Adam “Aejaye” Jackson – vocals; Keith Fiddmont – saxophone; Glen Berger – saxophone; Scotty Barnhart – trumpet)
To say that Oscar Brown, Jr. was multi- talented is a true understatement. In addition to being a singer and songwriter, he wrote at least 12 plays, and was a noted poet, actor, and political activist. Between 1961 and 1998, he recorded a dozen albums, and yet found time to be the host of a great jazz television show, Jazz Scene USA. (That show gave exposure to Stan Kenton, Jimmy Smith, and Nancy Wilson, to name just a few.) His use of hip lyrics has been compared to Ben Sidran, Dave Frishberg, and Bob Dorough.
For her fifth album, LA based vocalist, Amber Weekes, does the master proud with twelve of Brown’s prized songs. Amber possesses a great vocal style, both pure, yet with a sassy edge, that fits right in with sophisticated, ultra cool lyrics that Oscar provides. Well before rap entered our musical lexicon, Brown was upfront as an “OG” pioneer. Weekes handles the life lessons that “Professor Brown” teaches with aplomb. When it’s time to strut. she’s right there, and the hip references are aided by great features from her guests. Both strings and horns add to the well mixed arrangements.
Some highlights include “Afro Blue,” which Oscar co-wrote with Mongo Santamaria (and has been covered by many artists over the years), as well as the great “Work Song,” which became a classic by the Adderley brothers.
There is “testifying” from Amber and “Aejaye” Jackson, on “Hum Drum Blues,” and Jackson personifies the braggadocio of “A Ladies Man,” that would bring acclaim to a present day rapper. “Strong Man,” a ballad with strings, is made special with a sensuous reading by Ms. Weekes.
The centennial celebration of the life of Oscar Brown, Jr. will go on throughout this year in Brown’s home town, Chicago. Let’s hope they find some time to fly Amber to the Windy City, where she can honor one of her musical heroes. Meanwhile, we can all enjoy her tribute to a man of all seasons. It’s well worth a purchase!
To Oscar With Love – Amber Weekes
Tracklist:
Mister Kicks, Afro Blue, Strong Man, But I Was Cool, Brown Baby, Hazel’s Hips, Rags and Old Iron, Hum Drum Blues, The Snake, Work Song, A Ladies Man, A Tree and Me
—Review by Jeff Krow
