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Leslie Baker : Askew Too
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Accesible jazz with an edge and a touch of the blues; originals & standards.
Genre: Jazz: Jazz-Pop
Release Date: 2002
Askew Too
Leslie Baker
Record Label: Ranch Cabin Records
  • Buy CD - $16.00

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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. No Whine (Before It's Time) 5:39 Album Only
2. I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:21 Album Only
3. Layin' Low 5:53 Album Only
4. Broadway 4:45 Album Only
5. Chelsea Bridge 4:37 Album Only
6. I Could Write a Book 3:24 Album Only
7. Time Goes 3:59 Album Only
8. Ms. Fox 4:04 Album Only
9. Rain Dance 5:31 Album Only
10. Sometimes I'm Happy 6:14 Album Only
11. When I Grow Too Old to Dream 4:38 Album Only
12. Not a Lone Wolf 4:40 Album Only
13. Earthquake Blues 4:41 Album Only
14. 'Round Midnight 5:49 Album Only
15. For Andy and Larry 5:32 Album Only
preview all songs

Album Notes

A collection of some very wonderful original compositions along with standards, straight ahead, jazz & blues.It takes a great band to make a great recording, and Leslie has surrounded herself with some of the finest musical talent that are recognized all over the world for their ability to perform at the highest levels of excellence.
There is no shortage of music on this CD, 15 beautifully crafted tunes. You are very fortunate to be in possesion of this recording as part of your musical library. Now do as I have done and will do again. Listen and enjoy "ASKEW TOO"

from liner notes by James Janisse,
Program Host KLON FM 88.1 (America's #1 Jazz Station)where this recording is on the top 10 playlist

Leslie Baker, "ASKEW TWO" Baker is a jazz rarity-a female bassist. Her resume lists dozens of gigs and recordings in a variety of genres with artists ranging from blues performers Willie Dixon and Lowell Fulson to jazz artists Ricky Woodard and Oscar Brown Jr.
The core of her second CD is the trio that includes pianist Phil Wright and drummer Billy Paul. Baker's generally solid bass playing is well displayed in the way she delivers the melody of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" and an upbeat rendering of "Broadway"(in which she has the opportunity to display a walking bass style deeply influenced by her teacher, the late great Red Callender).
Other highlights include the guitar and vocal work of Earl Alexander on "I Could Write a Book" and Baker's original "Earthquake Blues," Suzannes Spinosa's lovely vocal rendering of another Baker original, "Rain Dance," and Baker stepping up to the microphone to sing a spirited version of "Sometimes I'm Happy."
From "Attention Must Be Paid to West Coast Musicians"
by Don Heckman in the
Sunday Calendar Section of the Los Angeles Times
April 21, 2001

Some lovely reactions from some associates:

It just so happen that I read that review with my morning coffee. Congrats are in order. Keep up the good work and continue to be the star that you are.
Hugs,
Barbara Morrison

Hi Leslie,
Thanks for your enjoyable CD. It contains a great variety- ballads,bowing, swinging vocals and funk.I love the blues!!
Thanks again
Lynn Seaton

Thanks for the CD!!! It's great!! Excellent job!!! For some reason, it's like LIGHT YEARS better than the last one, and I loved that one!!! Congratulations!!!
Peace and love from the Big Easy!
Jeff Naideau

I saw your review in Sunday's paper. Wonderful, and well deserved! I hope this puts you "on the map" even more.
Best, Marilyn Baker

Hi Leslie,

I'm sorry it has taken so long to let you know how much we enjoyed the performance the other evening. It really is a good group. However, I must tell you, we enjoyed the CD soooooooo much! What a great collection of songs and as Neil said, you really are a great bass player.
Your CD will be considered one of our favorites. Your blues jazz is the only kind I like. Thank you for making it available to us.
Judy & Neil Kelley

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REVIEWS

Prince Moore - Producer / Yve Evans
author: Prince Moore
                            
I really like what you do here. That is no suprise because I always loved your Bass.  Keep up the great work!

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What a wild, wild woman!!!
author: Brook Crowley
                            
Being a CD Baby regular customer, I've loved music all my life. Leslie Baqker, mind you all, has got to be the greatest bass player on the planet!! The upright bass gives out my favourite sound. I love hearing I'm Beginning to See the Light, Rain Dance, 'Round Midnight, Broadway, Chelsea Bridge and For Andy and Larry, but most of all, Sometimes I'm Happy, sung by Leslie herself! Yeah, I'm so glad I got this album, I'll never want to stop playing it!!

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good descriptive review
author: Scott Yanow
                            
AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Bassist Leslie Baker (who had picked up experience playing in many different settings in the Los Angeles area) made her debut as a leader on this CD, a mostly straight-ahead bop date that has a fair amount of
variety. Baker teams up with flutist Steve Fowler, pianist Phil Wright, guitarist Terry Evans, drummer Billy Paul and singer Earl Alexander. Baker and Wright contributed two originals apiece, Fowler brought in the catchy "One Door Opens"and the quintet also plays seven standards (including two Versions of "Sometime Ago"). Although the leader takes several bass solos, she does not dominate the music and often features Wright, Fowler or Evans (who is showcased on Wes Montgomery's "Road Song") as the lead voices on various tunes. Most of the music is taken at relaxed tempos and the overall effect is both tasteful and swinging with a few bossa novas included for contrast.
An impressive effort. -- Scott Yanow

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very complimentary & informative
author: Scott Yanow
                            
AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Bassist Leslie Baker has been a fixture in Los Angeles clubs since the 1990s, playing an appealing variety of straight-ahead jazz and blues. For her second date as a leader, she performs with some of her favorite
n  musicians, including pianist Phil Wright, drummer Billy Paul, either Earl Alexander or Ronald Muldrow on guitar, and Robert Kyle on saxophones and occasional harmonica. The 15 selections include a variety of swinging standards
("I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Broadway," "When I Grow too Old to Dream"); some blues; and Baker's originals "No Whine (Before Its Time)," "Time Goes," "Rain Dance," "Not a Lone Wolf," "Earthquake Blues," and "For Andy and Larry." The latter was co-written with Phil Wright, who also  contributed "Layin' Low" and "Ms. Fox." While Leslie Baker has a fair number of solos (and sings "Sometimes I'm Happy"), there is also plenty of solo space for Wright,
Kyle, and the guitarists, with Alexander taking two vocals and Suzanne Spinoza singing "Rain Dance." The overall music is middle-of-the-road mainstream jazz and very easy to enjoy. 
-- Scott Yanow, jazz reviewer & author

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