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In a Mellow Tone [Howard Alden]

Howard Alden
1 disc

1. In a Mellow Tone
2. Do Nothing 'Till You Hear from Me
3. Tangerine
4. Snow Fall
5. Cherokee
6. In the Dark
7. Very Thought of You, The
8. Three Little Words
9. What's New?
10. Moon Glow
11. Jitterbug Waltz
12. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
13. Blues for Emmett
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 2207
Credits

Producer Bob Weil; Howard Alden
Engineer Josiah Gluck; Seth Presant
Personnel: Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar).
Recorded at Avatar, New York, New York and G Studio Digital, Studio City, California. Includes liner notes by Bob Weil.
Personnel: Howard Alden (guitar).
Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; G Studio Digital, Studio City, CA.
Photographer: Paul Slaughter.
Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli played together a number of times over the years during jazz parties and in concerts, though the two seven-string guitarists never made a full CD together until In a Mellow Tone (though Alden appeared on a few tracks of Pizzarelli's A Portrait). Both heirs to the legacy of guitarist George Van Eps (who popularized the instrument), these two masters make magic on any session in which either of them takes place; combining the two meant that there was no reason for any additional players. With the extra string providing each man the ability to play a bassline for the other, they have a ball in the studio as they trade off playing gems like their cooking renditions of "In a Mellow Tone," "Cherokee," and "Three Little Words." Their slightly brisker treatment of Claude Thornhill's theme song "Snow Fall" works beautifully, while their intimate approach to "What's New" is among the best versions available on record or CD. They also capture the playful spirit of "Jitterbug Waltz" with a brilliant arrangement. Alden tackles both the haunting "In the Dark" and a brief take of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" as solos. The sale of this highly recommended CD benefits the Sante Fe Jazz Foundation, which assisted Alden when illness limited his ability to tour for an extended period. ~ Ken Dryden
Critic Reviews

JazzTimes (02/04, p.115) - "[T]hings really start to swing when Pizzarelli gets down to work."