| |
TopSatelliteRadio.com : Articles
Music
Go Back To Articles Page
Al Basile Releases Blues Masterpiece
Rumford, RI-Al Basile remembers Patti Page singing "Tennessee Waltz," Les Paul and Mary Ford's "Mockingbird Hill," and the first day he heard Elvis sing "Heartbreak Hotel." His world would never be the same. Melody and tone became an important facet of his listening experience early on. Basile is a multi-faceted talent. In addition to his musical talents writing jazz, blues and roots music, he is the author of poetry, plays, and fiction.
Basile takes a lifetime of the blues and musical experiences and puts it all into his latest release Blue Ink. He reaches back to those roots, his early years as a member of Duke
Robillard's band Roomful of Blues, and his many years with Duke as a
writer and player on Duke Robillard Band CDs, to record a modern day
blues classic. Robillard and his band backup Basile in typically grand fashion on all 13 tracks. Duke's tasteful and potent guitar licks make each song weep the tears of the blues while Jerry Portnoy's harp (whose resume includes playing with Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton) answers the calling of the guitar parts in one synchronous beat of the heart.
The many styles of the blues take shape in a natural way during the progression of each song on Blue Ink. Basile's experience as a coronet player takes a back seat on this project, as he is the featured vocalist. His sweet and warm delivery will put you front row and center in every song. Each track has a character and color that finds a home in your heart rather quickly.
AL BASILE'S TRIBUTE TO JAZZ
Rumford, RI---Al Basile has a range of influences including Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Nat Cole, Solomon Burke, Muddy Waters, and Lonnie Johnson. However, it all started for him when he heard "All or Nothing at All" by Sinatra with the Harry James orchestra on a 78 that his mother had around the house.
Several decades later, a culmination of events coupled with experiences and influences evolved and Basile recorded the jazz album Red Breath. He was not interested in doing the typical covers or a bland contemporary recording. Something different and memorable was in order. Tireless research of favorite Vernon Duke and Rodgers and Hart compositions that were virtually unknown but just right, yielded songs selected for the album. Although it is a departure from his blues work released in the past with Duke Robillard and Roomful of Blues and several solo albums, you will recognize Basile's unique stamp on the music.
Basile is not only the featured cornet player on Red Breath; he provides vocals that are hard to forget. He follows in the footsteps of Sinatra and Bennett, using the two great vocalists as models to set the foundation for the album. There is a strong influence of Louis Armstrong present in his cornet playing-featuring the large, warm, dark nature of tone that he has worked so hard to develop over the years.
Red Breath has a strong sense of danceable rhythm and timeless quality. Surely, it will find its way as one of the classic albums of modern jazz. It is an archetypal depiction of mixing the old with new for a fresh new outlook on jazz music.
Al Basile will continue to record new music and perform regularly. Check his website for news and information.
Contact Al Basile:
Sweet Spot Records
PO Box 4723
Rumford, RI 02916
Phone & Fax: 401-438 -7431
E Mail: basile@albasile.com
Website: http://www.albasile.com
About the Author
MuzikMan conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites. Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.
Go Back To Articles Page
|
|
|
Satellite Radio
