Search - Pete Wernick's Live Five :: Up All Night

A fun bluegrass adventure into grooveland

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 09/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The forever innovative Peter Wernick is always taking bluegrass music to a new consciousness. His Live Five ensemble fuses early jazz, Dixieland and bluegrass into a tasty treat that really grooves. There is a clear dichotomy and contrast between their presentations of classics like Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven" or Earl Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." However, through it all, Live Five remains hep to the jive. It's obvious that expert banjoist Wernick has found his musical match with the rest of this solid group: George Weber on vibes; Bill Pontarelli on clarinet; Kris Ditson on drums (primarily with brushes); and Roger Johns on electric bass. These cats are virtuosos and play with both shoes tied. Their musical sensibilities also allow them to have fun as they pick, grin and swing together. Clearly, they are inspired by each other as they adventure into grooveland. The album opens with an upbeat "Alabamy Bound," with vocals by Sean Blackburn. Peter Wernick contributes seven self-penned compositions. The ebullient energy of Live Five really shines on both uptempo pieces like "Pick and Roll,"as well as Wernick's slower tunes like the bluesy "Up All Night" that features Pontarelli's fine clarinet playing. "Owensboro Hop" and "On a Roll" and "Foggy Mountain Special" were all recorded live at the Boulder Theater. Joan (Nondi) Wernick contributes the vocals for "My Buddy," and Bill Pontarelli sings on "Sweet Georgia Brown." The closing track of "Soldier's Joy 5 Ways" is best described as a band of soldiers marching, dancing, stomping at the Savoy. Peter Wernick's Live Five goes where no bluegrass (or jazz ensemble for that matter) has gone before. The music is fun, enjoyable, and inspiring. Simply put, the band is alive with jive. For a little 'grass in the groove, I highly recommend this album. -- Joe Ross, moderator/reviewer for Nwbluegrass"