The New Pollution - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell, B.
Devils Haircut - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell, B.
Sexx Laws - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hansen, Bert
Loser - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell, B.
Jack Ass - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Beck [1]
Where It's At - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell, B.
He's a Mighty Good Leader - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Traditional
Nobody's Fault - Dr. Lonnie Smith, Beck [1]
Organist Lonnie Smith has a history of tribute recordings, including two honoring Jimi Hendrix, and one paying homage to John Coltrane. Those featured or co-billed guitarist John Abercrombie and tended to be more fusion af... more »fairs in the Larry Young mode. For his venture into the Beck repertoire he has brought aboard sax legend Dave "Fathead" Newman for a decidedly funkier approach. The set leans heavily on the young Hansen's Odelay tunes but manages to also include a smattering of songs from each of the artist's recordings. The harmonic and melodic limitations of the material are evident, but so too are its blues and funk roots. Beck's songwriting is all groove, attitude, and atmosphere making it ideal for the organ trio context. Drummer Lafrae Sci helps deepen the pocket, while triple-threat Doug Munro thickens the atmosphere as arranger/producer, and adds to the attitude with his tasteful and witty guitar work. These grease-meisters turn "New Pollution" into a stone shuffle, make "Devil's Haircut" more satanic, and often make the original recordings literally pale by comparison. As the honoree might say, this disc is "Where It's At." --Michael Ross« less
Organist Lonnie Smith has a history of tribute recordings, including two honoring Jimi Hendrix, and one paying homage to John Coltrane. Those featured or co-billed guitarist John Abercrombie and tended to be more fusion affairs in the Larry Young mode. For his venture into the Beck repertoire he has brought aboard sax legend Dave "Fathead" Newman for a decidedly funkier approach. The set leans heavily on the young Hansen's Odelay tunes but manages to also include a smattering of songs from each of the artist's recordings. The harmonic and melodic limitations of the material are evident, but so too are its blues and funk roots. Beck's songwriting is all groove, attitude, and atmosphere making it ideal for the organ trio context. Drummer Lafrae Sci helps deepen the pocket, while triple-threat Doug Munro thickens the atmosphere as arranger/producer, and adds to the attitude with his tasteful and witty guitar work. These grease-meisters turn "New Pollution" into a stone shuffle, make "Devil's Haircut" more satanic, and often make the original recordings literally pale by comparison. As the honoree might say, this disc is "Where It's At." --Michael Ross
"This is by far the best CD I?ve purchased this year! The amazing Dr. Lonnie Smith and David "Fathead" Newman re-work one of my favorite artists Beck, and the entire CD is simply beautiful. A must have for all music lovers. This is what I'm getting my pop for Father's Day, and I recommend you do the same."
Yowza Dowza Doooza!!!!!
mateom | LA | 05/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anybody living in LA might have had the pleasure of hearing some super good 'ole soul groove organ music on KCRW's 'Morning Becomes Eclectic' or 'Weekend Becomes Eclectic' or some of their other spots. Yep they do that alot but this time I was like WAIT A MINUTE!! Is that ?????? Yes it is, BECK!!! Tropicalia!! I also stumbled on it in a review in June's Rolling Stone. Man this stuff is way cool. Nobody's Fault is a masterpiece ( I mean it brothers and sisters). Mind you if you hate jazz or instrumental stuff, or ole rare groove then this might do nothing for you.
Otherwise, get it!!! Super cool cover too.
I'm going to see the Doctor in Santa Cruz this July to thank him.
Sometimes it just don't feel better then this.
Party up and ENJOY!!
Peace"
Different twist on Beck
wm | ...onward....thru the fog! | 04/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"
I'll confess right up front the funky jazz groove genre that the good Dr. Lonnie comes from isn't the type of music coming out of my stereos most of the time. And that's a good thing, because to this untrained ear, Dr. Smith's type of music sounds great, but I'll normally hear this genre when I'm not deliberately seeking it out.
One of the things I respect most about Beck is his ability to reinvent his own songs. It's a testament to the flexibility of the artist, but also to the flexibility of the songs. Bob Dylan is the king of reinterpreting his own songs; again, a credit to him and to his songs.
Without knowing much about this funk jazz groove Dr. Lonnie fits into, his interpretation of Beck's songs is so far removed from Beck's original versions, yet the songs are instantly recognizable to a Beck fan's ears.
Fans of Beck should by definition be open minded, so I'd be disappointed if I heard true Beck fans who say they dislike this CD.
If there is a flaw to Dr. Lonnie's versions of Beck's music, it's that he captures your attention, yet you can easily put it on as background music. This is decidely not the case with the originals, which most of the time, command your full attention."
This has got to be the funnest release of the summer
mateom | LA | 06/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What a great marriage of music. Dr. Lonnie Smith has never sounded better and if your a Beck fan you will so dig this.
A super-cool record. Nobody's Fault is a masterpiece."