Search - Ramsey Lewis :: Tequila Mockingbird

Nothing But The Finest!

Andre' S Grindle | Bangor,ME. | 04/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Tequila Mockingbird"'s excellent title cut,"Wandering Rose",
"My Angel's Smile" and the more classically inclined "That Old
Bach Magic" all have a very (mid-period) Earth,Wind & Fire sound
to them,courtesy of the group's keyboardist Larry Dunn who produced some of these tracks.Even as "Camino El Bueno" has a funky little latin-funk feel and Ramsey's swepping piano arpeggio's are in fine style throughout one particular cut is of
special historical interest to me,being from Bangor Maine.Here there was a local television celebrity named Eddie Driscol and when I was a child WLBZ TV in Bangor (an NBC station) was using
the song "Skippin'" from this album as the theme music for
Drisol's "Grover Swale Show".It is a pleasant piece of lite jazzy
R&B with a sprightly little melody.Even though I would rate several of the albums that proceeded this as Ramsey's best 70's
work [counting 1973's "Funky Serenity",1975's "Don't It Feel Good" and this same year's "Love Notes"] this album has a little
orchestral magic to it and begins using synthesizers to a greater
extent.Also worth checking out if you still have your turntable
is Ramsey's 1978 LP "Legacy" containing the fine "All The Way Live" and the grooving "Moogin' On".Until you locate that however you'll enjoy this for sure!"

Excellent Performance

Andre' S Grindle | 02/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Keyboardist Larry Dunn of the great Earth, Wind and Fire produces a few excellent songs on this album. The opening title track gets the album going with late 70's EWF style synthesizers and the distinctive horns. Ramsey Lewis on the piano delivers an excellent performance for new brand of sound and music."

A Modern Jazz Treasure

q1stroker | Claremont, CA United States | 05/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit I have several Ramsey Lewis projects, but this one has to be my all time favorite. The title track is simply awesome! I'm talking real strings, "tight" horns, incredible rhythm. Ramsey's virtuous Piano work is as always in top form! Very nice music arrangements and Synthesizer work by Larry Dunn. A delight for the modern jazz Lover's ears. Many other tunes are stand outs as well - Skippin', Camino El Bueno. This CD is not just a great buy, but a complete buy."