Album Notes

Music Review – by Bill Lloyd
Jazz is the medium in Shelton’s latest CD, “ SOUND PAINTER”

Dan’s most recent CD is titled “Sound Painter”. What does that mean? Let me say, first of all there are no other musicians on this CD, although no sound has been left out because of this. Dan has provided a full complement of sound all by himself, a true solo album. Everything is provided by Dan from percussion to brass to whistles. How it is all put together is where the “sound painting”comes in. These are all songs that you have probably heard before, but do take note of the arrangements as you are listening. It’s easy to see that jazz is really Dan’s forte.
“Ain’t Misbehaven,” the Fats Waller number from the 1920s, features an impressive flugelhorn solo, which is done with Dan’s guitar and a guitar synthesizer used throughout all the selections.
The next selection is a Django Reinhardt composition, “Nuage,” featuring the warm melody of a nylon-stringed guitar intricately woven through the rythms of the keyboard and percussion as well as a light airy saxophone solo. Notice the baritone sax complementing the bass towards the end.
“Baubles, Bangles and Beads” offer us some of Dan’s finest picking and chording on the guitar of the whole CD. I kind of liked the nifty bass run more prominent in the second half of the song.
The lively, upbeat “One note Samba” treats us to some lively exchanges between Dan’s excellent picking and some nice keyboard and saxophone rides. Cool whistle work at the end,-no?
“Georgia on My Mind” has to be one of the most favorite songs in America. Dan’s choice to base his arrangement of the original version of the song is a wise one, rendering us a lazy, almost floating version of this classic. A touch of blues as well as jazz guitar entices us through the song to a sultry baritone sax solo before the last guitar verse leaves us wanting to hit the repeat button.
“Taking a Chance on Love” features Dan’s entire jazz ensemble of all his talents (well, most of them) – an arrangement of brass, keyboard and guitar that would likely have Frank Sinatra heading for the microphone.
‘Tristiza Em Mim” a song once recorded by Sergio Mendes introduces us to Dan’s flute solo prefaced and followed by his usual excellent guitar work along with some highfalutin whistle work too.
“Bluesette,” a Toots Thielmans master piece schools us on the art of whistling acounter melody along with the primary guitar melody - - a talent later revived by George Benson. However George never mastered the sax and horn to play the solos we hear here.
“Teach Me Tonight”, the 1953-released song formerly done by such greats as Dinah Washington, Diana Krall, Brenda Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Al Jarreau to mention a few as well as George Maharis (remember him from the TV show Route 66?). This song showcases Dan’s ability to arrange various instruments into a tightly knit ensemble worthy of any jazz club.
The tenth and last song is Jules Styne’s “Time After Time,” a timeless love song circa 1947. As often songs did in those days, a moody, melancholic introduction of intricate chording and guitar picking leads us to the body of this very melodic and moving tune.
I hope that you will enjoy this collection of great jazz numbers as I have. This great musical production is easy listening, but, also, offers plenty of intricacies to keep the most discerning ear busy and delighted. Hopefully, You’ll be inspired to pick up some of Dan’s other CDs if you haven’t already!
Great Job, Dan!