Such a nice CD, I wish I could quit it but I can't.
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Did you every buy a CD just to get the one track you liked?  You won't have that problem here -- they're all good!  Tops in my book are Angels Waltz and Bill's brilliant arrangement of A Child is Born.  Both are masterpieces, but the whole CD swings and is a pleasure to hear.  The guest artists are all top-notch, and they sound like they've been playing together for years.
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It’s always encouraging to hear young talent carrying the bebop torch into the future.  The Jazz World needs to remember that this music is alive and kicking in the 21st century.  Bill Burns is one of those torch-bearers.  In his latest (and I believe first) CD release, Baritone Saxophonist Bill Burns from Dayton, Ohio makes a bold individual statement.  Listening to him, I first thought…. Nick Brignola,… no, Gary Smulyan, no, Pepper Adams….. Gerry Mulligan?….. no…. just BILL BURNS!

I highly recommend this beautifully swingin’ CD to anyone who appreciates straight ahead acoustic jazz injected with just the right balance of tradition and individualism to make it purely listen-able.  Here’s a tune by tune blow by blow:

“Bird Lives” is an exciting bepop-ish opener with lots of memorable bop clips and surprises in the melody. For the solos, the quintet rides on happy rhythm changes.  Bill’s homage to Charlie Parker is devout, but with a gutsy, hard bop style that makes this tune not just another romp through rhythm changes. Hal Melia provides a silky smoothness to on Alto to balance the solos section, which culminates in four bar trade offs, and climaxes with young Phil Tipton’s drum solo.

The Jazz World could use more good waltzes, and Bill certainly obliges with  “Angels Waltz”.  Showing his versatility on Soprano Sax, Bill will waltz this one right into your heart with his easy swinging style.

When I first got the CD, I read the tune list and wanted to listen to “Curious George Attacks” first.  The title made me curious…. Since the man in the yellow hat wasn’t around, that’s what I did!  No regrets… What a great tune!  Bill’s writing is original and full of delightful surprises, yet it sounds comfortably familiar. This gives his music an endearing quality that is a tribute to his mastery of the Jazz Language.  This tune alone is worth the price of the CD.

Mike Techenbrock’s haunting flugelhorn opens the ballad “Just No More”.  It’s just the relaxing and beautiful break needed in the program after the attack of the inquisitive monkey on track 3 -- another hint that Mr. Burns is no stranger calling all the right tunes in the right order.

Toe-tapping is required during the cover of “All of Me” that follows. Can’t miss with this one.  Enjoy!

Next it’s back to the sop with a Latin tune. “Live and Let Go” gives bassist Chris Berg a chance to shine and the variety and delightful melodies keep coming.

The medium tempo groove tune “Do What You Gotta Do” is another one where your foot  will not be able to avoid tapping.  It’s a minor blues with an attitude!

A pure beauty ends the CD.  Thad Jones’ “A Child is Born” has always been a touching melody, but Bill’s arrangement for saxophone quartet gives it new life and luscious sensitivity – a true masterpiece.
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If you add one new jazz cd to your collection this year--make this the one.  I challenge you to listen to track 4 (just no more) and try to hold on to your stress--can't do it--melts all the negatives away baby!  It rivals all the best. Bill Burns is on his way. . .
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