Personnel:
Linda Dachtyl: Hammond Organ, Tambourine (Track 1)
Robert Kraut: Guitar
Gene Walker: Tenor Saxophone (Tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 10)
Jim Rupp: Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
Cary Dachtyl: Drums (Tracks 3, 5, 8, 9)
Jazzmary: Vocals (Track 3)
Larry Smith: Vocals (Track 5)
Lady Nikki Scott: Vocals (Track 8)
"Linda Dachtyl strikes appropriately blue moods on "For Hep Cats" (Chicken Coup Records), a fine album of smoky organ jazz recorded with Robert Kraut (guitar) and Gene Walker (tenor sax).
She kicks the pedals to push the jaunty "Tone Wheel Grease"; "Trouble" swings irrepressibly; Jimmy McGriff's "Turn Blue" is slow moving dynamite.
Three superior vocals round out the proceedings;
Lady Nikki Scott's "Since I Fell For You" narrowly edges Larry Smith's "Little Red Rooster" and Columbus, Ohio singer Jazzmary on Nina Simone's "Do I Move You?"
Dachtyl has good chops and feel, and she adjusts her tones carefully to evoke elegance or grease as required.
There is no sound more beautiful than a Hammond organ played well."-Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue Magazine, June/July 2008
"Linda is superb in every department, on every track. Her solos soar, her unison playing is tight, her supporting fills like Baby Bear’s porridge – not too hot, not too cold, but just right!"
Fritz the Night Owl, WJZA.com
"Musicians always search for a sound that will distinguish them from others; a path that will reach a listener’s heart most effortlessly. For Linda Dachtyl, this sound and path seem to have come from her love of the basics, that is, the Blues and traditional Jazz Organ offerings. In this, her second release on Chicken Coup Records, she reveals her pure and simple formula; embracing the notion that this has been and always will be ‘feel-good’ music. What feels good for Linda has become the distinguishing feature of her voice and the energy behind her musical journey.
Linda draws from the momentum of her first recording, ‘Blue Bop’ (CCP 7003) to find a more diverse groove. Surrounding herself with familiar voices, Linda has chosen the finest and most organ-combo-friendly players. Drummers Jim Rupp and Cary Dachtyl know, only too well, the importance of playing drums while listening to bass lines from an organ. Jim’s history with Hank Marr will always be highlighted and Cary’s role as Linda’s husband and musical partner has sealed his fate. Tenor saxophonist, Gene Walker has literally ‘played with’em all’. He’s been the first call for many an organist because of his rich and robust sound as well as his fundamental sound quality; basically: He’s the man! Guitarist, Robert Kraut was borrowed from the Tony Monaco trio for this session. He instantly fell into place as one of the more ‘conversational players’; telling his stories and elaborating here and there. Robert’s playing never ceases to amaze me.
Linda begins this rhythmic romp with ‘Trouble’ – a head-nodder from start to finish. She uses her repertoire to weave a fabric of textured jazz organ. It rocks and rolls with feeling; through church at times but never outside the pocket. As with all the tracks in this song list, solos are well conceived and heartfelt.
A fresh approach to ‘One Mint Julep’ is uplifting in tone and free floating in its feel. Always with her finger on the rock pulse, Linda offers what has been absent from many of the newer organ recordings: she brings back the feel that was so prevalent in the organ rooms of yesteryear.
Added to this song list are some vocals with undeniable grooves.
Jazzmary Daniels’ take on ‘Do I Move You?’ is one such example. Saluting the late great song stylist, Nina Simone, Jazzmary brings forth sultry tones that move as if through an outdoor festival on a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon while Linda’s Blues-drenched soloing calls out to us.
Lawrence Smith also delights us with his vocal work, interpreting Willie Dixon’s ‘Little Red Rooster’. Saxman, Gene Walker talks-that-talk as only he can do and, again, the feeling of a Summer Blues Festival is alive. Loping solos meld into a more traditional organ combo situation as energy and goes from an outline of the Blues to a full picture.
‘Since I Fell For You’ is the third vocal on this recording and it introduces Lady Nikki with a marvelous style of her own. This perennial favorite begs us to just ‘let go’ and allow Lady’s voice to soothe and smooth things out. There’s a personal thing going on here where the voices unite; as if everyone’s reading along, turning the pages of this story together.
‘Tone Wheel Grease’ is a lively tune that jumps out. It offers fine bass work with a simple head that takes the listener immediately to a happy space. It’s the bottom end that anchors us on this one, proving that LD has the foundation needed to lock us in and keep us rolling.
Linda also takes a turn on Jimmy McGriff’s ‘Turn Blue’. Here, she states just what she has in mind for us and then proceeds to walk us through a storybook of Blues. It has a ‘church style’ in it and Linda’s use of the full orchestral sound gives us the thrill we need for that ‘old time meeting’. Her heart is most revealing in this type of music; showing us where her sweet spot may actually lie: in the Blues.
‘Les Chats Bleus’ is an up-tempo piece that brought Lou Bennett to my mind. It has a wonderful bridge that rolled around in my mind long after I first heard it. This one gives us perspective on LD’s approach to a variety of music styles and demonstrates her control and awareness of where the music has gone and where it is going. It’s the wholeness of her music that is both refreshing and impressive.
Linda Dachtyl comes from a well-rehearsed and disciplined music world as evidenced by her version of ‘Straight No Chaser’. She knows her music and she knows how she wants to present it. Here, Monk’s tune is interpreted expertly in the organ-context. Linda plays nobody but herself throughout; asking for support from husband Cary on drums but never compromising her flow of energy.
A tune that has been a staple for organist Rhoda Scott is also given LD recognition. ‘Frame for the Blues’ proves to be easy pickins for her as she glides through this great Slide Hampton original with confidence and fashion. Switching up on her registrations, Linda brings a robust feeling to this classic piece. It is a fitting way to close this magnificently crafted and musically satisfying recording selection.
With a healthy serving of the Blues this CD manages to present an array of music with rich tones and melodic lines. Linda’s choice of songs offers thoughtful introductions and sometimes dramatic endings. The story-telling element of this music is high throughout and the playing is absolutely wonderful."
Pete Fallico
www.doodlinlounge.com
www.jazzorganfellowship.org
Check out Linda's 2006 release "Blue Bop" here on CDBaby.
Linda is in demand as a session artist and can be heard on these other CDBaby artists' recordings:
SOUL SATYR: No Slackin'!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/soulsatyrmusic
SEAN CARNEY BAND: Life of Ease
http://cdbaby.com/cd/seancarneyband
ELISA NICOLAS: Compass and a Pen
http://cdbaby.com/cd/elisanicolas
AL SMYTH: Comfort Me
http://cdbaby.com/cd/alsmyth2
THE WALT JAMES BAND: Arrival (drums)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/waltjames
ANNA SHEER:Beautiful Waters (drums)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/annasheer2
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