CD reviews: Christmas discs heavy on tradition, but with a twist
Sunday, November 25, 2007
'Carol of the Bells'
Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra (Owl Studios)
Three stars
The Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra's blues version of "Silent
Night" could earn it a spot in a jazz lover's holiday playlist the
way Mannheim Steamroller's rendition made it a favorite with new-
age fans. The orchestra's reading features the wonderful, Joe
Williams-like voice of Everett Greene and a David-Sanborn-like alto
sax solo by Mike Stricklin. The album features Greene on seven of
its 12 tracks, and he is never disappointing. Neither are the
offerings without him. The Buselli-Wallarab in the title refers to
the names of two of the players in this Indianapolis-based
orchestra, even if it sounds like some sort of mammal from New
Zealand. The band is a good one and offers a swinging instrumental
on "Jingle Bells" and a somewhat moody offering of the title song
built around solid work from the reed section. The charts
throughout the album are inventive and allow good solos,
particularly from Stricklin and trumpeter Mike Hackett.
-- Bob
Karlovits