egroj world: Phil Upchurch • Tell The Truth

Monday, February 19, 2024

Phil Upchurch • Tell The Truth

Review
by Paula Edelstein
The world-renowned guitarist Phil Upchurch plays 13 great songs on Tell the Truth. This CD is a gem. Playing blues, soul, R&B, and jazz, Upchurch shows his remarkable versatility on such great songs as "Jive Samba," "La Costa," the title track, and "St. Louis Blues." He performs a flamenco version of "La Costa" with beauty and style, and flaunts his "stride guitar" technique on a solo rendition of "St. Louis Blues." His inimitably smooth and soulful phrasing shines on "Manhattan," and he doubles on harmonica on his original composition "She's Alright." However, the highlights of this great program are "Tell the Truth," a song Upchurch wrote with Ray Charles in mind, and his great arrangement of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five," which he plays much in the same way as he did on George Benson's smash hit "Breezin'." Joined by David Arnay on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, Vince Wilburn, Jr. on drums, and Mike Smith on percussion, this great CD comes 40 years after Upchurch's first recording as a leader, and it's priceless.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tell-the-truth%21-mw0000588735

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Reseña
por Paula Edelstein
El mundialmente conocido guitarrista Phil Upchurch toca 13 grandes canciones en Tell the Truth. Este CD es una joya. Tocando blues, soul, R&B y jazz, Upchurch muestra su notable versatilidad en temas tan buenos como "Jive Samba", "La Costa", el tema que da título al disco y "St. Louis Blues". Louis. Interpreta una versión flamenca de "La Costa" con belleza y estilo, y hace alarde de su técnica de "stride guitar" en una interpretación en solitario de "St. Su fraseo inimitablemente suave y conmovedor brilla en "Manhattan", y dobla la armónica en su composición original "She's Alright". Sin embargo, lo más destacado de este gran programa es "Tell the Truth", una canción que Upchurch escribió pensando en Ray Charles, y su gran arreglo de "Take Five" de Dave Brubeck, que toca de forma muy parecida a como lo hizo en el gran éxito de George Benson "Breezin'". Acompañado por David Arnay al piano, Kevin Axt al bajo, Vince Wilburn, Jr. a la batería y Mike Smith a la percusión, este gran CD llega 40 años después de la primera grabación de Upchurch como líder, y no tiene precio.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tell-the-truth%21-mw0000588735

www.philupchurch.com ...

Tracks:
1 - Jive Samba - 5:30
2 - Jack Of Speed - 6:23
3 - La Costa - 7:51
4 - Manhattan - 6:14
5 - Take Five - 7:57
6 - Home Again - 5:10
7 - Long Gone Bird - 6:35
8 - Tell The Truth - 5:27
9 - (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again - 5:23
10 - St Louis Blues - 7:57
11 - Girl Talk - 6:01
12 - She's Alright - 6:27
13 - Misty - 2:17

Credits:
    Bass – Kevin Axt
    Drums – Vince Wilburn, Jr.
    Engineer [Assistant] – Jason Scott
    Executive Producer – Lee Davis
    Guitar, Harmonica – Phil Upchurch
    Liner Notes – Neil Tesser
    Mastered By [Engineer] – Roger Seibel
    Percussion – Mike Smith
    Photography By – Markus Cuff
    Piano – David Arnay
    Producer – Carla Olson
    Recorded By – Glen Fujiwara
    Recorded By, Mixed By – Andy Waterman

Label:    Evidence (5) – ECD 22222-2
Released:    2001
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/6882253-Phil-Upchurch-Tell-The-Truth