Big Harp George – No Shortcuts
This San Francisco-based conglomeration gets off to a rousing, bluesy, swing-big band start with the breezily attractive Big Harp George harmonica in a Big Band setting. That’s different. The harmonica gives way to 2 distinct sax solos, then the harmonica returns with smoke on “Come Out Swinging,” & it swings. Would it be accepted during the height of the original Swing Band era? Who knows? But today, this will get your honey up from her comfortable seat & champagne cocktail to shake her…shake her hips.
There are 16 generous offerings to No Shortcuts (Drops Sept 18/Blues Mountain Records/67:57) produced by Chris Burns (keyboards) & recorded in San Jose, CA. Even Marcel Smith’s vocals are a little retro, but the words are well-punctuated. The arrangement is precision-cut on “Supplement Life,” with its old-fashioned application spit-shined like a pair of wingtips in Roseland. The trombone blares with authority & sweetness.
The curiosity about Smith’s vocals on “Yes Dear!” is that they sound Swing-era rich, with an aural equivalency to doo-wop, which makes the tune so damn cool. Clapping hands, wild guitar solo & ritzy backup vocals. The song is assembled masterfully. Everyone gets a cigar.
The songs were composed by Big Harp George Bisharat (vocals/harmonicas) & “Sun Drifting,” with its handsome sound, has a ’50s dance band stride style — an infectious dance temptation. I always found instrumentals a true artistic expression since musicians have to rely on their instrument to communicate. That comes down to fingers, lips, & feet. This tune does all that. Each poured-over solo defines the player. The band is gold. Sample “Death Rattle of the Republic.”
The songs are arranged with care. “Ain’t My Circus” is heavy-handed but played with expertise. Marcel returns vocally to this far funkier tune & it’s equally compelling. There’s an ounce of the gaiety & suitable bombastic performative sparkle as evident as Deaf School years ago (“What a Way To End It All,” “All Queued Up”). The varied tunes are like a technological vaudeville show complete with Brecht-Weil darkness, gypsy violins, the Joe Jackson (“What a Racket!”) downpour of surprises & clever musical applications.
This band fires on all 16 cylinders down a swing-curvy musical road. Fasten seat belts.
Highlights – “Come Out Swinging,” “Supplement Life,” “Sun Drifting,” “Ain’t My Circus,” “Bury My Head,” “Rusty Spoon,” & “Death Rattle of the Republic.”
Musicians – Joe Kyle (bass), Lisa Dahbour Andersen, Marcel Smith, James & Dwayne Morgan (vocals), Kid Andersen (guitar/banjo/bass/fretless bass), Aaron Lington (baritone sax), Doug Rowan & Michael Peloquin (tenor sax/arrangements), Mike Olmos (trumpet), Mike Rinta (trombone/horn arrangements), Alexander Pettersen (drums), Derrick D’Mar Martin (drums/percussion), Basma Edrees (vocal/violin), Charlie Bisharat (violin), Loay Dahbour (riq/duff), Mohamed Elshazly (oud), Ami Molinelli (tamborim/pandeiro/surdo/tambourine/finger shots), Nicole Welch (cello), with add’l arrangements from Kid Andersen, Chris Burns & George.
CD photography courtesy of Peggy DeRose. CD @ Amazon & https://www.bigharpgeorge.com/