Boogaloo to Beck: A Tribute

Boogaloo to Beck: A Tribute

ASIN: B000099T4I

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Organist Lonnie Smith has a history of tribute recordings, including two honoring Jimi Hendrix, and one paying homage to John Coltrane. Those featured or co-billed guitarist John Abercrombie and tended to be more fusion affairs in the Larry Young mode. For his venture into the Beck repertoire he has brought aboard sax legend Dave "Fathead" Newman for a decidedly funkier approach. The set leans heavily on the young Hansen's Odelay tunes but manages to also include a smattering of songs from each of the artist's recordings. The harmonic and melodic limitations of the material are evident, but so too are its blues and funk roots. Beck's songwriting is all groove, attitude, and atmosphere making it ideal for the organ trio context. Drummer Lafrae Sci helps deepen the pocket, while triple-threat Doug Munro thickens the atmosphere as arranger/producer, and adds to the attitude with his tasteful and witty guitar work. These grease-meisters turn "New Pollution" into a stone shuffle, make "Devil's Haircut" more satanic, and often make the original recordings literally pale by comparison. As the honoree might say, this disc is "Where It's At." --Michael Ross

Boogaloo to Beck: A Tribute,Dr. Lonnie Smith,David Fathead Newman,Scufflin Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop,Soul-Jazz

Average customer rating:

Different twist on Beck

Not bad. Far from great.

One good song, rest are duds

Doctor "Boogaloo" is burnin'...

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Genius

Boogaloo to Beck: A Tribute
Dr. Lonnie Smith , and David Fathead Newman
Manufacturer: Scufflin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000099T4I
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Paper Tiger
Tropicalia
Mixed Buziness
The New Pollution
Devil's Haircut
Sexx Laws
Loser
Jack Ass
Where It's At
He's A Mighty Good Leader
Nobody's Fault

Product Description

1. Paper Tiger
2. Tropicalia
3. Mixed Buziness
4. The New Pollution
5. Devil's Haircut
6. Sexx Laws
7. Loser
8. Jack Ass
9. Where It's At
10. He's A Mighty Good Leader
11. Nobody's Fault

Format: CD

Amazon.com

Organist Lonnie Smith has a history of tribute recordings, including two honoring Jimi Hendrix, and one paying homage to John Coltrane. Those featured or co-billed guitarist John Abercrombie and tended to be more fusion affairs in the Larry Young mode. For his venture into the Beck repertoire he has brought aboard sax legend Dave "Fathead" Newman for a decidedly funkier approach. The set leans heavily on the young Hansen's Odelay tunes but manages to also include a smattering of songs from each of the artist's recordings. The harmonic and melodic limitations of the material are evident, but so too are its blues and funk roots. Beck's songwriting is all groove, attitude, and atmosphere making it ideal for the organ trio context. Drummer Lafrae Sci helps deepen the pocket, while triple-threat Doug Munro thickens the atmosphere as arranger/producer, and adds to the attitude with his tasteful and witty guitar work. These grease-meisters turn "New Pollution" into a stone shuffle, make "Devil's Haircut" more satanic, and often make the original recordings literally pale by comparison. As the honoree might say, this disc is "Where It's At." --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

Different twist on Beck.......2007-04-11

I'll confess right up front the funky jazz groove genre that the good Dr. Lonnie comes from isn't the type of music coming out of my stereos most of the time. And that's a good thing, because to this untrained ear, Dr. Smith's type of music sounds great, but I'll normally hear this genre when I'm not deliberately seeking it out.

One of the things I respect most about Beck is his ability to reinvent his own songs. It's a testament to the flexibility of the artist, but also to the flexibility of the songs. Bob Dylan is the king of reinterpreting his own songs; again, a credit to him and to his songs.

Without knowing much about this funk jazz groove Dr. Lonnie fits into, his interpretation of Beck's songs is so far removed from Beck's original versions, yet the songs are instantly recognizable to a Beck fan's ears.

Fans of Beck should by definition be open minded, so I'd be disappointed if I heard true Beck fans who say they dislike this CD.

If there is a flaw to Dr. Lonnie's versions of Beck's music, it's that he captures your attention, yet you can easily put it on as background music. This is decidely not the case with the originals, which most of the time, command your full attention.

Not bad. Far from great. .......2007-04-10

Here's the good news. For those tempted to see this album as a quick cash grab (as one reviewer implies) it is nothing of the kind. The minds behind this disc obviously put a lot of thought and soul into it. "Doctor" Lonnie fans will not be disappointed in his, or any of the musicians', performances.

I will go further. I will also say that many of Beck Hansen's songs work well in a groove jazz setting. Beck is a very diverse artist and, as the liner notes mention, a killer melodicist. Lonnie and crew certainly capture that.

Now, for the bad news. Just because thought and soul were put into the album does not mean that there are not some real clunkers on the disc. I would say a good half of the songs would have benefitted either from more takes, different arrangement, or....more caffieine! Cuts like the bossa-tinged "Tropicalia," border on an elevator-jazz sound. Also, tracks like "Loser" (which had the potential to be so good, the original grooving as hard as it does), thoroughly lacks direction or any inspiration. Other clunkers: Mixed Buziness and Devil's Haircut.

So which are the good'ns? The CD opens with a killer slow-burnning "Paper Tiger." The original song may be melancholy, but this rendition has the cool slow groove Lonnie is known for. The other mind-blower is "Nobody's Fault" which does NOT switch gears from Beck's introspective mood, but enbraces it in a slow crescendo of sensitivity. "Where it's At" has a great mid-tempo groove to it thanks to Doug Munro's guitar riff. One of my favorites, though, is a bouncing, happy version of "He's a Mighty Good Leader." It sounds like it was recorded in a pentacostal church.

for all that, though, this CD gets three stars. Far from the 'transparent' attempt at a cash-generating jazz CD (and would that really be a horrible thing?) this disc does have soul and smarts. But on the other hand, about half of the songs show a lack of direction - a grooviness for grooviness's sake that just makes for a weaker-than-could-be project.

This CD is thoroughly better than the sequel - Reuben Wilson's "Boogaloo to the Besstie Boys," though! That CD is one to stay away from!

One good song, rest are duds.......2006-12-11

Dr. Lonnie, what's the problem? You give us one 'A' cut (Paper Tiger) and the balance of the album are all 'B' filler songs. Additionally, the B pieces all sound like they come from the 1970's. What a waste.
Dr. Lonnie can move and grove you, but someone torpedoed this album and its overall rating is: A clunker to avoid.
Go with Dr. Lonnies other albums which are winners.

Doctor "Boogaloo" is burnin'... .......2006-01-14

The Doctor is finally back with his first solo album since the 2000 album "The Turbanator" at 32Jazz label. Beck Hansen, the rock composer of all the album's tunes, is a very sympathetic meeting and a challenge for a B-3 trio with guest artists. The Doctor has solved this with his intense and funky playing using all the B-3 registrations capabilities available. Great tunes and arrangements make this trio work very well together and it's always a delight to hear guest artist David "Fathead" Newman in organ combos. Great "spitting" B-3 sound recorded so pump up the volume when playing this CD! Thanks God that the Doctor is not recording with digital B-3's (New B-3 and XB3)and stick's to the Real Thing.

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Genius.......2005-12-21

There is no doubt that Dr. Lonnie Smith is the ultimate Hammond B3'er, and anyone who has seen him in concert is sure to agree. He is at his finest on this album, covering the always interesting Beck with a great selection of songs. I'd love to see a follow-up to this with tunes from Guero, and more from Midnite Vultures. Aside from my personal favorite Dr. Lonnie Smith album, "Drives", this ranks highly in my collection. A must have for Hammond B3 fans and Beck fans alike.

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