Search - Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg :: Who's on First

A "First"-rate display of artistry and lyrical mischief

Stephen Hall | Woodstock, GA United States | 08/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a Gen X'er, I and many of my peers were unknowingly introduced to the breezy vocal stylings of Bob Dorough as we sat in front of the TV on Saturday mornings and scarfed down Cocoa Puffs in our PJs while enjoying such "Schoolhouse Rock" classics as "My Hero Zero," "Three Is a Magic Number" and "Conjunction Junction" (Dorough sang the first two and penned the third). But I recently learned that Dorough is a renowned jazz vocalist who once worked with Miles Davis and has recorded several albums over the years.



Anyway, "Who's On First" is the second Dorough album I've purchased, and it's worth every penny. Imagine having two goofy-but-cool grandfathers who can carry a tune and keep everyone laughing and entertained; that sums up the feel of this album. My favorites are the title track, in which the duo employs vaudeville humor to musically ponder which of them should take the stage first, and whether being first is even a desirable place to be; and "Lookin' Good," in which Frishberg assumes the persona of a cynic who's convinced he knows the secret to success, to great comic effect ("You can tell the world to shove it / Show 'em crap and make 'em love it / You can run their life / Long as you're lookin' good"). These two alone will give you your money's worth, but there's plenty more gems to savor on this live recording.



Bottom line: "First" is not only a fine album, but one that's every bit as fun to hear on CD as it obviously was for the audience at the Jazz Bakery in L.A. to experience live (their raucous laughter and applause on the recording is testament to that). You'll dig it, daddy-o."

Two Old Pros Cut Up

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 01/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to this reminded me of the best of Hope & Crosby. Two old pros, just cutting up and enjoying each other's company immensely. The set starts with Duke's "Rockin in Rhythm", the duo's answer to a jazzed up Ferrante & Teicher, then romps through a set of about everything that made them famous to their all-too-few fans (except that Frishberg's "Van Lingle Mungo" isn't here, and Dorough's "Nothin' Like You" doesn't have nearly the impact that it had when he did it with Miles in the '60's.). Much of it is witty and clever, which is what you'd expect from these guys; I particularly enjoyed Dorough's "Conjunction Junction". A nice set; no embarassments, and plenty to recommend."

Conjunction junction

Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 07/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not being a fun or a conoisseur of these two artists, I bought this CD because Dave Frishberg did such a excellent job as a swing-oriented pianist on two later Jimmy Rushing albums(including his last recording gem) that I love very much. He proved equally dexterous in blues, jumping swing and ballads.



And I got much more than I expected... Only later I read about Dorough's and Frishberg's remarkable careers that spanned several styles in jazz while their creative interplay on "Who's on fist" goes beyond any expectations.



Since I have some knowledge of Carmichael's and Mercer's classical work, I can clearly see where these guys come from. But, American performing-writing tradition aside, this CD has a great amount of rhythm, wit and good vibrations. Lyrics definitely are the integral part of the experience, but for me the musical side is more than enough in spite of the fact that their voices don't have the power of Rushing or ambiance of Jon Hendricks or speed of Kurt Elling.



They both play fine piano and where the voice seems a bit weak, the strength of material and strong musicality more than adequately compensate."