CD REVIEWS Charlie Dennard 5 O’Clock Charlie (Independent) by Dean M. Shapiro Following up his debut album, from Brazil to New Orleans, jazz organist Charlie Dennard goes all out on this CD with an all-New Orleans supporting cast. Now a fulltime Big Easy resident, Dennard’s trio employs the talents of local guitarist Todd Duke, plus Doug Belote and Geoff Clapp trading off drums, plus four compositions co-written with another outstanding local guitarist, Brian Seeger. Performing largely in a style reminiscent of the late Jimmy Smith, Dennard makes his Hammond B-3 literally sing in deep, resonant tones while his bandmates add their own layers to the overall sound of this ten-track record. All but one of the songs are in the 5-7 minute range, giving the musicians ample time to stretch their musical legs. Although not credited as such, there is a very light bass track to balance out the other instruments, undoubtedly an extra touch added by superstar producer Tim Stambaugh of Algiers-based Word of Mouth Studios, himself a firstrate bass player. The album’s title is from an episode of the long-running TV series M*A*S*H, in which a misguided North Korean pilot attempts to bomb the camp every day at 5pm but continually misses his target. Appropriately, the CD closes with a jazzed-up version of the show’s theme song, “Suicide is Painless.” —Dean M. Shapiro Patrick Williams & His Blues Xpress Big Easy Blues Sound of New Orleans Records Although New Orleans is not Memphis or Chicago when it comes to presenting the blues genre, at least a few of our musicians can hold their own with the best of those other cities’ blues greats. One of them is Patrick Williams. Blowing a mean harmonica and belting out strong, solid vocals, Williams adds a wide dimension to this CD’s ten tracks with some top-shelf backing musicians in his Blues Xpress band. Ryan Hall on guitar, James Mitchell Jr. on bass, Herman Halphen on drums and Reuben Watts on percussion all pull together very smoothly to produce a formidable wall of sound. It doesn’t matter that many of the songs are cover versions, including BB King’s “Everyday I Have the Blues,” Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy,” Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” Jimi Hendix’s “Little Wing” and others. The originality lies in the group’s interpretation of the songs and, in that respect, they excel. They especially excel on “Little Wing,” a song played by two of the greatest guitarists of the ‘60s generation – Hendrix and Eric Clapton. You don’t take on a challenge like that without having full confidence in your ability to do it justice. Overall, a fine effort by an outstanding assemblage of N’Awlins’ finest. — Dean M. Shapiro 28 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com S E P T E M B E R / O C TOB E R 2 0 1 6
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