Album Notes

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REVIEW:

Cliff Monear's "At the End of the Day" (Green Tea Jazz)... Speaking of the orchestral arrangements: "... For one thing, he leaves enough room for his own inspired melodic improvising and that of tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Chris Collins, who channels Stan Getz to fine effect. Monear's crafty arrangements are also braised by subtle harmonic turns and some nice orchestration touches -- like the solo violin line behind Barbara Ware's warm vocal at the end of "Always" that sounds as if Monear is having his Nelson Riddle moment. Monear himself croons "I Had the Craziest Dream" in a surprisingly silky baritone. The album ends with pared instrumental readings of "Street of Dreams," "Once in a While" and "Alone Together" that eschew the orchestral scrim for serene and uncluttered beauty.

Review by MARK STRYKER - Music Critic for the Detroit Free Press - mstryker@freepress.com.



REVIEW

Cliff Monear's ...at the end of the day (Green Tea Jazz) - As the title specifies, this relaxed, old-fashioned, high-caliber background music from a time when one could have a nice after-work gin martini without chocolate or ear-threatening thumping masquerading as music. With an accomplished cast and discreet synthesized background this recording does just what it is designed to do with perfection. The musicians are well matched to the project of well-chosen standards: pianist, singer and arranger Cliff Monear is joined by Chris Collins (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Nick Calandro (bass), Sean Dobbins (drums), Larry Fratangelo (percussion), as well as by vocalists Barbara Ware and Stephenie Monear. This is the kind of recording that is designed to be a complete package that creates and maintains a mood, but if you listen closely, there are also some outstanding musical moments, mainly provided by Monear and Collins. For romance or solitary relaxation, this album has everything you need, but you will have to supply the fireplace and the dog.

BY PIOTR MICHALOWSKI - SEMJA Writer