Bruce 
What a great CD, Bruce! Where to start? Loved that you hit it with the big band swing at the top - and showed off your considerable chops in the first cut! Then, the warm treatment of what is one of the best Ralph Carmichael tunes ever. The flugelhorn suits it so well.  Beautiful tone! “You Raise Me Up” is the last tune Larry ever accompanied me on at my church a few years ago. I like the simplicity of your treatment of the melody. It’s elegant. And the same goes, but double, for “The Prayer.” 
Love the way Joshua slides off at the end. Such a good freshening of that terrific arrangement!  You let Rollie Mains go on “He Never Sleeps” – and Larry, too, got a few licks in there. I foolishly just about mixed Rollie right out of the tracks he played on for me. I couldn’t reconcile to having synth’d strings and needed to be overruled in the mix!  By the way, you’re right about the mix. It’s just right. “Bring Him Home” is a gem in every way. The last note just kills! Need I go on?  
You have to be very proud of this project.  Aren’t you glad you got it done while we still had Larry? That’s another thing I like about having this CD. It’s a symbol of Larry’s musicianship and his friendship and loyalty to his old LS friends. 
Then you topped it all off with the heartfelt and tender tribute to your dad in the liner notes. Sweet, man!   … Great pics, too, especially the cool one behind the disc!  
- Tim
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Hi Bruce. Very nicely done CD. You should be quite proud of it. Many thanks
for the wonderful cover photo and inside credit on my horn.
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I've played beside Bruce for years... and all I can say is that his newest CD is quite an accomplishment!  Bruce goes back to his Gospel roots - but doesn't hesitate to inject his "show band" flare!  For many years, Bruce has been known around town as "The Trumpeter"!  This album encapsulates so many aspects of Bruce's playing!  Don't settle for the samples - get the Album!  Crank it loud on your home stereo for all your Neighbours to hear.  Awesome!  I challenge you all to "Wade In the Water"!
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"What a Gig that Will Be" reveals the power, beauty and serenity of the trumpet.  Bruce's notes are dead center and phrasing exquisite.  His styling is reminiscent of Doc Severinson, Johnny Cowell, or Maurice Andre, and 
shows why Bruce is one of Canada's leading trumpet players.  Bruce teams up with Steinway Artist, Pianist and composer Larry Dalton who arranges the ballads and spirituals with rich, lush, orchestral arrangements and light jazz beats. Bruce dedicated the album to his 
father, and the music selections reflects Bruce's passion going from a subdued beginning to a powerful ending, similar to a New Orleans procession.  Like any good spiritual, Bruce's trumpet voice arises out of pain and anquish, to remind of of truth, beauty, and victory.  My 
favorites are Joshua (..fit de Battle) and Wade in the Water. I look forward to Bruce's next album.  If you like the rich romantic sound of a trumpet at its best, or the styles of Doc Severinson, Chris Botti, Maurice Andre, the Canadian Brass, Johnny Cowell, Manny Laureano, Wayne Bergeron, you'll want this CD. -iii<
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