MAINSTREAM JAZZ

Sonny’s “Road Shows” CDs are “Best of” compilations of live concert recordings. This third volume in the series includes superb performances with varying lineups caught in France, Japan, and the US on dates from 2001 to 2012. All tracks are excellent: choose for desired length or mood. Each track begins and ends with applause.

Instrumental. No FCC issues.

1 ** Mid-fast, spirited. Lively tune with a happy melody. Sax & trombone trade solos. Opens with applause for 45 sec. but otherwise excellent. (8:32)

2 ** Slow. Music starts immediately; little applause. A pretty Noel Coward ballad.
A stylish hollow-body guitar solo in the middle. Restrained bass and drums. (15:19)

3 * Very fast, with hard driving beat. High energy & rhythmic, rather than melodic. Complex with hints of world music. Sax leads mostly (‘cept a 2 min guitar bridge.) (12:26)

4 * Mid-tempo. Mostly unaccompanied, improvisational sax solo with snippets of popular and children’s songs. Band enters with a closing flourish with about 30 sec to go. (8:31)

5 * Mid-fast. Straightforward hard-bop exploration of a Kern/Hammerstein show tune. Sonny’s mental & physical stamina (at 77 of age) are astonishing. (23:39)

6 Mid-tempo, South Am dance rhythm. Short & happy; likely an encore. Audience claps along to the party beat. Ends with full minute of applause; be ready to fade it out. (4:22)