CD Reviews-May 2002

Peter Green Splinter Group: Time Traders - Blue Storm
This third release for Peter Green Splinter Group is as much of a group effort as the first two. Each release gets stronger, showing a variety of strengths in the keyboard/vocals of Roger Cotton, and the guitar work of ??, as well as the much admired, Peter Green on guitar/vocals. Their debut release got them a date at Bumbershoot a few years ago playing to the delight of a blues-starved, packed in Mural Amphitheatre crowd. Their second release focused on Robert Johnson songs, and brought them back to Seattle where they again played a packed house, this time in a double bill with John Mayall's Blues Breakers. Now, Time Travelers again shows the solid musicianship of all the members of this group. Although somewhat humble in their 'showmanship' one gets a strong sense of love in this group. Each player seems to have the demeanor needed for the essential balance they accomplish so well. Each player gives room for the other, and they each get a chance to shine on this recording. Slightly more timid vocals on the first two releases are strengthened up nicely on Time Travelers. I'm not mentioning their scores of experience and past decades of work, because this isn't a group resting on it's laurels. This is a new era for Peter Green, way past his Fleetwood Mac days, and the Splinter Group has a gentle, creative spirit that has warmed up fondly to it's Seattle fans, with a return to the Kingcat Theatre this month.
- Marlee Walker

Groovin' Higher Orchestra: Live at Jazzbones! (2-CD set) - NW
Blues come in all hues. The three basic chords that readers of BTD have been weaned on are so enduring, so indestructible, that they show up in rock, country, pop, Dixieland, and every idiom from Afro-Cuban to Zydeco...from hip-hop to be-bop. They also form the basis of much of the big band swing heard on the new double disc, Live At Jazzbones, featuring the Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra. Its leader-trumpeter Rich Wetzel-has gathered, with missionary zeal, arrangements from the libraries of the golden age of big bands such as Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, etc. He has also gathered some of the Northwest's finest readers and most exciting soloists who share his enthusiasm for putting today's update on the best of yesterday's output.

It would be unfair to single out the many soloists who love to stretch out because space limitations simply cannot accommodate all their contributions. Besides, most of the excitement engendered by the big bands emanates from the massed sonorities, the sectional work...in short, the intricate writing of those unsung heroes-the big band arrangers.
This session was recorded a short time ago at Jazzbones-a Tacoma venue that shows an understanding of the eclectic qualities of jazz and blues and every genre that falls in between. I hope your tastes and curiosity can match Jazz Bones'. The two discs can be bought for the price of one and thereare many memorable sounds contained therein. Give a listen-guaranteed you'll be groovin' ever higher.
-Harvey Siders