Big Shot

PAPA JOHN DeFRANCESCO: Big Shot
Savant, 2009

ORGAN JAZZ – It’s a funky, bluesy family affair for Philly organist DeFrancesco, who starts out with a nice quartet (Jerry Weldon really gets down on tenor sax), but then adds sons Joey (keyboards) and John Jr. (guitar) for some extra grease. A solid soul-jazz & blues session.

Note for geeks: the organ is a new Diversi model, not a Hammond B-3

* * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 4, 5, 7

1. 6:45 – laid-back blues: sax gets low down, guitar & organ keep it mellow
2. 7:52 – very soulful rock cover with electric piano + organ; solos get into it
3. 5:41 – sweet ballad: sax/organ/piano make for a unique front line
4. 7:13 – upbeat New Orleans stomp: piano gets real loose, funky sax & organ
5. 6:11 – midtempo blues, marches straight down the line, organ solo sings
6. 8:58 – breezy Latin glide: cheesy keys, busy drums, hot guitar & organ
7. 5:38 – slow drag, 100% blues: testifying organ, lowdown guitar
8. 7:04 – funk jam: retro groove and loose, good-humored solo breaks

[ Fo ] 05/30/09