Album Notes

Townsend Publications David Knopf wrote of Energized!: “Imagine a solitary figure, collar upturned, walking on a deserted street in the early morning hours, and you have the feel of Comin Home, Baby. …Picture a wisp of steam rising from a manhole or an empty bus making its last run of the night, and you have the essence of Scott and Warners Take Five…”

The core quintet is joined by Kansas City guest musicians for several tracks of this CD which contains classic swing, bluesy jazz, west coast, and, for the first time, an original composition by Noel. Overdubs of Scotts alto and tenor, saxophones create horn sections for Perdido and Robbins Nest. The obbligato passages of his soprano, especially in Take Five, contribute to the popularity of this recording among fans. Including the bluesy classic Comin Home, Baby, Scott demonstrates his range of expressiveness with the tenor, and extends this by using the soprano for a blues chorus and obbligato in Harlem Nocturne. For tonal interest, Noel often incorporates solos from multiple saxes within the same cut, as he sometimes does in live performances. The warm low end of the tenor’ in You Don’t Know What Love Is is contrasted by a haunting soprano treatment. On Bewitched he plays solos on all three horns.

Vocals for Bewitched and On Green Dolphin Street are provided by the clear tomes of Char. Garrett Gardner, vocalist for the Tony DiPardo Orchestra for twenty years contributed Ive Got You Under My Skin. Mike Eaton, section trumpet player for the late Stan Kenton, picked up the valve trombone on Comin Home, Baby and Ive Got You Under My Skin.

Don Warner who performs three nights a week with Noel at a Kansas City, Missouri, restaurant, plays piano. Wes Knowles, bass, is another who consistently works K.C. jazz clubs. Mike Thompson supplies the drums. Mike has worked with Lou Rawls, David Benoit, and Ernie Watts among others. Greg Richtor, who has recorded with Bobby Watson and other national figures, plays vibes, rounding out the quintet.