Search - Brian Bromberg :: Wood II

Expanding the Repertoire

Jim Newsom | Norfolk, VA | 05/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm always leery of recordings fronted by bass players or drummers--will it just provide an excuse for masturbatory soloing and showing off? Acoustic bassman Brian Bromberg is a virtuoso on his instrument, able to take the melody on just about any song. Four of the twelve tracks on this disc are bass solos. But my overall impression is that this is a great piano trio record, with pianist Randy Waldman and drummer Vinnie Colaiuto amply holding their own with the boss. The trio pieces reveal a warm interplay among the musicians that is apparent even when the bass is jacked up in the mix. The big surprise, though, is that the bass solo tracks are the most memorable--incredible rides through Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star," Paul McCartney's "Let `Em In" and the Kansas prog-rock warhorse, "Carry On My Wayward Son." Here's to Brian Bromberg for single-handedly expanding the jazz repertoire!



Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 5/23/06

Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

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A delight for jazz bass playing fans!!

B. J. Lane | Levittown, PA United States | 05/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not see a need to echo the words of the other reviewers, but as a fan of great acoustic bass playing (guys like Christian McBride, John Pattitucci and the late, great Ray Brown come to mind), this set rocks!



Mr. Bromberg is a brilliant musician whose talent has graced many an album (both under his own name and for other artists) over the years, and here, he kicks it up to notches unknown, going boldly where no other bass players have traveled. Giving rock-era classics like "Shining Star" (Earth, Wind and Fire) and "Let Him In" (Beatles) a jazzy, solo bass makeover is one big undertaking indeed! Same goes for his swinging take on the jazz classics like "Caravan" and "Four Brothers" (the latter with his own whistling to boot).



Five stars just ain't enough...this is a winner!!! I'll find his predecessor CD "Wood" in no time."

"Wood II" a Fine Jazz Tribute to Baroque-era Bass

J. M. Contino | Arvada, CO USA | 08/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Brian Bromberg produces an amazing sound from his early 18th century acoustic bass. The piano trio work is tight, exciting. The solo bass intimate and eclectic."