"Alive & Kickin'" in today's Philadelphia Inquirer

[Ron S]

Organissimo

Alive & Kickin'

(Big O Records ***)

Organ jazz isn't exactly a happenin' genre, but the Michigan-based Organissimo struck a blow with 2008's Groovadelphia, which paid tribute to the key role that Philadelphians played in organ jazz's heyday.

Now the trio returns with this crackling disc, recorded live at WKAR-TV in East Lansing, Mich. Guitarist Joe Gloss and organist Jim Alfredson on the Hammond-Suzuki XK3 create some mesmerizing moments. Drummer Randy Marsh is an old sideman of Philly organist Shirley Scott, so he's got some cred for this work.

The pace is rapid-fire, except when it's in steamy ballad mode. "Jimmy Smith Goes to Washington" shows the trio's flying style, while "Clap Yo' Hands" is more soul-oriented and "Pumpkin Pie" cooks at a more sensual pace before it gets all gooey at the end with histrionic sound effects. Frank Zappa's "Blessed Relief" also gets reverent treatment here from Gloss and Alfredson, who focus otherwise on originals. The set still reaches some righteous temperatures.

http://www.philly.co...html?page=2&c=y

Nice goin', guys!

Always good to pump up the Philly fan base.

Edited April 18, 2010 by Ron S

[Joe G]

Awww... with love from Philly.

[Dave James]

Wouldn't you know it, just when the band parts ways, the publicity starts to roll in. In his regular feature Sunday Wax Bits, blogger Marc Myers has a nice review of Alive & Kickin'. Here's a link:

http://www.jazzwax.com./

Also contrats to Marc for the nomination of his Jazz Wax column by by the Jazz Journalists of America as blog of year. If you aren't a regular reader, you're missing out on a very knowledgeable and well written daily dose of jazz information and interviews.

[Jim Alfredson]

Terri Hinte is doing great work for us.

Thanks for posting, Ron.

[GA Russell]

Congrats guys!

[randissimo]

Man, I miss Philly! Thanks for posting that Ron..

[randissimo]

Wouldn't you know it, just when the band parts ways, the publicity starts to roll in. In his regular feature Sunday Wax Bits, blogger Marc Myers has a nice review of Alive & Kickin'. Here's a link:

http://www.jazzwax.com./

Also contrats to Marc for the nomination of his Jazz Wax column by by the Jazz Journalists of America as blog of year. If you aren't a regular reader, you're missing out on a very knowledgeable and well written daily dose of jazz information and interviews.

Rest assured we're not parting ways. Typically in this business tour offers and other music projects occasionally come along and are going to keep some of us busy from now until the fall months..