Jazz Rascals Music

The title of this review is the name of the last track on this program of work by Andrea Keller who composed and arranged all 12 pieces. This is my first exposure to Ms Keller. Undoubtedly we are living through a period in improvised, perhaps all, music when the consumer - I hesitate to say listener - is subject to a multitude of reissues, compilations, and remastered classics of the genre that is somewhat overwhelming. Companies, such as CBS, are milking this market for all it is worth. For an emerging artist it must be incredibly difficult, firstly to get any attention from a producer, and secondly, to compete in such a market for the ears of the consumer. This year - 2006 - I have listened to three programs of music that were not reissues that compelled me from the opening notes to pay attention to what ultimately proved to be three outstanding works - Andrew Hill's TIMELINES, Charles Lloyd's SANGAM and Andrea Keller's ANGELS AND RASCALS. I found this surprising as the first two are established masters - such is the subjective nature of music and its enjoyment: but, its an enjoyment based on harmonic and melodic richness and rhythms that delight and not just one tune, but the care and attention that has gone into the programs. For example, on ANGELS AND RASCALS the piece Prague Ten, with an arranged repetitive motif for the horns with Danny Fischer serving us up with some "free" drumming seemlessly moves into Machine Gun Piano which has some interplay and collective improvisation and cooks.
For purposes of comparison for the seasoned jazz listener, I would say the work of David Berkman and his HANDMADE spring to mind. Which is to say, great care has gone into arrangements and programming as opposed to a blowing session.
The quartet consists of Ms Keller piano, Eugene Ball trumpet, Ian Whitehurst tenor, Danny Fischer drums augmented by Shannon Barnett Trombone, and Gian Slater voice.
I'll say up front that I am not a fan of voice in the jazz setting as so few appeal to me. However, Ms Slater uses her voice as another instument to enhance the overall colour of the works. The harmony of voice and trombone on 20/10 is especially effective. I am a fan of the piano, and Ms Keller's touch, control, feeling, and drive are everywhere evident.
Interest doesn't flag - which in itself says something. The highlight for me was RESTING PLACE which has superb work by all concerned but especially Mr Ball with
the breath of cymbal by Mr Fischer providing a lattice of support behind. The use of space in this work also reveals Ms Keller's exceptional feel for music. Hence the title of my review. Being born is one thing, but you have to put the love into the work you are destined for - Ms Keller clearly has.
Jim Keller's drawings and the overall package design and the warmth of the excellent recording by Mal Stanley make this one of my best purchases of 2006. One to own.

This jazz organist is also an agent of the headquarter of the National Securety Agency in Langley (Virginia).
He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 11, 1948.
This album was recorded at D.O.D. Studios, in Detroit, Michigan on May 27, 1996.
The musicians are:

BILL HEID - organ
PERRY HUGHES - guitar
RANDY GELESPIE - drums
GEORGE HEID - tambourine ( track 6 only)

The organ sound is great .
The Best song is " the first one " Bop Rascal " and the third , the forth and the 5.
The style is original !!!
All the tracks, except the last one of Wes Mongomery, are original by Bill Heid.
Enjoy !!!! and God Bless !!!!!!!!!

P.S.:Check up my 3 listmanias about the ORGAN JAZZ, also in the American version of this website !!! There are120 albums from the best selection for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This relatively unknown organist from the Detroit area ought to gain notariety with recordings such as this one. Aided by the superb guitar playing of Perry Hughes, this is one solid recording from the B3 genre. Heid is doubtlessly influenced by the style of the late Larry Young in his chording and harmonic sense and this is a delightful influence. Both the writing and the soloing is first class and a darn sight stronger than many of the Hammond organ sessions being issued. The recording has the feel of musicians who have worked in clubs and are both highly competent on their instruments as well as attuned to pleasing an audience. Best of the genre. Bill also has a new issue, Wet Streets, which is almost a dead ringer for Larry Young's Unity session - featuring saxophones and flute and is likewise a solid session. This cat's a monster! If you enjoy the Hammond B3 his recordings should get you where you live.

I don't know a title for this review. The review will be "short and sweet" as well. I LOVED IT! I could just picture those kids "doing their thing" as I listened to the music. I'm so glad that this cd was produced.

As I stated in my review of the first CD of Little Rascal's music. This second set is every bit as good as the first cd set feturing the classic 'Little rascal's music, although most of the best tracks are on the first disc, this set is nothing short of amazing too! The Beau Hunks capture the original music perfectly minus the 1920's and 30's recording standard. It's a fantastic must have set for fans of great music! "Oh Miss Crabtree there is something heavy on my heart!" ;-b

A must for comedy & Hal Roach fans! Beau Hunks have FLAWLESSLY done a superb job duplicating & even outdone the original. Snappy tunes will bring lots of memories, not just of OUR GANG but other Roach talkie films as Laurel & Hardy, Charley Chase. Also get the other RASCAL music CD before it vanishes. Paid $50, but worth every penny! Thought in those days it was Marvin Hatley that did all those tunes; what a revelation to know it was Leroy Shields;never heard of him till I got this CD(I have been a Roach enthusiasts for 40 years!!) BRAVO!! MUST BUY!!

This is the "Part 2" CD released in 1995. The first Beau Hunks Little Rascals CD titled "The Beau Hunks Play the Original Little Rascals Music" was released in 1994. (I purchased both in a 2-CD boxed set a few years back) In my opinion, there are many more familiar tunes (50 tunes on each) on the first CD. Although this CD has many classics, I beleive that in an effort not to duplicate tunes on the 2nd CD, they play music that was not as familiar or may have only been heard on one or two movies. Still great music, but not as familiar. Buy this CD.....but look for the original Beau Hunks Little Rascals CD too!

The music is sweet, warm, and funny. The BHunks are great archivists and performers-- if you like this CD, try to get a hold of their concert DVD-- it's a true joy.