Search - Joey Defrancesco & "Papa" John Defrancesco :: All in the Family

Self indulgent family meeting

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 01/12/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The idea of a meeting of 'Papa" John with Joey was a good one. The main trouble is that they don't appear to have taken a lot of trouble to test how some of the tracks would actually end up sounding. So "When the Saints" included for John's wife Laurene doesn't work, the version of "My Buddy" is an embarrassment and "Blues for sweet Sue" needed severe editing.On the rest of the tracks there are some moments when it all comes together. "Bags Groove" is good and the version of "Tuxedo junction" works well. They might also have done better to dispense with the services of Houston Person, whose strident Tenor playing is in direct contrast to that of Bootsie Barnes.It might also have been a good alternative to have let Melvin Sparks, playing at his mellow best here, have had more solo's.If you're looking for Joey DeFranco's best work, don't start here!"